SINGAPORE: The neighbourhood was quiet as my ride turned into Chatsworth Road, but it was the proverbial calm before the storm.
Approaching the main gate of the Indonesia embassy in Singapore, it was clear that there were many Indonesians based here who are looking to make their vote count in this year’s presidential elections.
This time, their choice is a familiar one: Current president Joko Widodo, more affectionately known as Jokowi, and former general Prabowo Subianto, who reprise their contest from the 2014 elections.
While the actual elections will be held on Apr 17, overseas Indonesians get the chance to cast their votes earlier with the embassy in Singapore conducting the polling on Sunday (Apr 14) morning.
About 450 Indonesians are helping out with the polling process.
Other embassies who are also holding their polling activities include those in Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines.
One of those standing at the front of the queue before the doors opened at 8am was Ms Diana Kie.
The 31-year-old, who was second in line, said it was a “big decision for the country”, which motivated her to leave her home early this morning.
Ms Diana Kie was one of the first in line before the embassy gates were opened. “Integrity and responsibility” are characteristics she’s looking out for in the presidential candidates. (Photo: Kevin Kwang)
She also heard from her friend in Melbourne, Australia that the queue was “quite crazy” when she had to vote on Saturday.
On the presidential election, she told CNA: “We all have expectations of how the country and the Government should grow … but there’s a lot of politics involved.” She added that the President Jokowi is “doing well”, considering that it’s “not easy to manage Indonesia”.
Asked what factors would help her decide between the two candidates, she said: “Integrity and responsibility.”
Foreign domestic worker Rasam was another who was up early this morning. She said she reached the Indonesia embassy at 6.20am as the presidential election and the position of president are “very important” for the country.
Foreign domestic workers Rasam (right), 46, and her friend Siti Amirah, 42, started queuing since 6.20am. (Photo: Kevin Kwang)
“(The candidates’) past actions and achievements helped me decide on which candidate to choose from,” the 46-year-old added.
Similarly, businessman Darma was happy to have arrived early and cast his vote.
“Every five years, it is the right of every Indonesian to vote,” the 46-year old said. “And every vote counts.”
To him, this presidential race boils down to whether one wants a fresh voice in power or to continue with the current mandate. “It’s quite a stark contrast actually, between populism and progressiveness,” Darma said.
Student Bing Halim, who has been in Singapore for the past three years, was clear about his choice as he left the polling booth.
The 22-year-old said that he and his family felt that it was “better if Jokowi stays as president”.
Student Bing Halim, 22, says this is not the first time he’s voting, but he’s doing so more out of obligation as he’s “not into politics”. (Photo: Kevin Kwang)
Media coordinator at the Indonesian embassy Ratna Harjana shared that about 60,000 Indonesians are expected to make their choice at the polling booth on Sunday, with doors expected to close at 6pm.
As of 9am, about 2,000 Indonesians had already cast their votes, she added.
They will join about 192 million voters from 34 provinces in electing the eighth president and vice-president of Indonesia come Apr 17.
