Rightly said all. JBP probably uses the same head for thinking this through like Abdul Somad and all his political backers from the so called Justice and Prosperous team use, which is not the real head on their shoulders.

And by the way, what about those L-Men adverts? I find those washboard abs of cute, clean-shaven young men sexy. Are they abolished as well in Depok? Maybe not, coz it's only sexy WOMEN that can create 'havoc' and 'negative activities such as prostitution.'

Oh well....

JBP.... Always the victim. I don't think anyone here says as a general term that Indonesians are stupid. I do not.. I say they are often gullible, pliable, under educated and often have double moral standards - but stupid not really

On to Elections... Well if you honestly think that most elections in Indonesia are not in some way or other rigged - be it from block voting to buying votes to actually rigging ballots (all proven BTW) then that's amazing - BUT if you really believe that then I will readjust my comment and say YOU (not all Indonesians) are indeed making a great case for stupidity. Again and again as a poster already said you defend the indefensible without any evidence to support your often ridiculous statements -

Also, after hundreds of years of abuse by their colonial masters and 30 years of New Order the vast majority of people are not ready to implement own critical thoughts about the leadership of this country, a status silently but purposefully enjoyed by the majority of the thin, but influential social upper-crust of Indonesia, which benefits of this condition. Look behind the curtain, the real puppet masters are basically still the same as before the fall of Suharto, huge power is granted to a very few industrialists and of course the ever present army. Indonesia voted for decades with a overwhelming majority for Golkar, but that was actually not what the people are voted for. They voted for empty promises for a better future until one day in 1998 it was too much. And even that was not a successful "revolution. The true masters of Indonesia stayed the same, they just took a new word "Democracy" and told the people "what we have now is it." But for most the is no chance to compare...

@justapasserby - hmmm, did I write Indonesians are stupid? I did not, but you are the one who wrote it.

The truth is that Indonesians, with the exception of an extremely thin crust of elites and "middle class", are poor and have no time to think about politics - their thoughts are mostly circling around how to pay for next month rent, putting food on the table, paying exorbitant school fees so one day their children will have a better life. I agree that democracy, true democracy and not the twisted version served to the public,is a very hard thing to implement. Real democracy can just be employed with a strong and educated middle class able to control politics, an issue which can not be applied to Indonesia. And I have the strong feeling on purpose. Under-educated and poor people can easily be controlled and satisfied with empty words and the focus of these people shifted away from important issues which would tighten the collar of the leaders unpleasantly to petty issues presented.

justa passerby,

Did you read my post correctly?

I wrote...."anyone speaking up will for sure be condemned as a heretic."

Hmmm....was there any mention of voting procedures? Shooting from the hips again and mixing up issues?

Perhaps you might try, I mean really try to respond to this. You appear to exhibit your political savvy and so I need to know from you if you believe that the Governor and his merry men are honest and God fearing people?

It's a soul searching question? No, I don't think so, but do try, can you?