THE gubernatorial election for Jakarta’s Special Capital Region (DKI) may still be more than seven months away, but the nation’s major political parties are already gearing up for what promises to be a major contest.

Two factors are likely to characterise the election. The first is the lack of a dominant candidate, which means just about any of the current crop of political hopefuls could win. The second is the absence of anyone with the sort of background that might encourage confidence that, as governor, he could deal with the myriad problems facing the sprawling city.

The election for the governorship is provisionally scheduled for July 11 next year. Control of a regional government at the heart of the political and economic life of the country is something Indonesian political parties can hardly afford to ignore. Alone among the leaders of the nation’s provinces and regions, the DKI governor gets to select the office holders of the five mayoralties that work under him.

This gives the DKI governor strong executive powers over the working and living environment of nine million citizens at the epicentre of the national economy. There is ample opportunity for the political party the governor is associated with to raise funds and consolidate support ahead of the 2014 national elections.

Currently, no party appears to have made a final decision about whom it will support. Contenders for the Golkar nomination include Jakarta branch chief Priya Ramadhani and former television celebrity Tantowi Yahya. Mr Priya is related by marriage to national Golkar leader and local tycoon Aburizal Bakrie. Mr Tantowi is a member of the national legislature.

Incumbent governor Fauzi Bowo wants to run again, but reports that he has fallen out with key members of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democrat Party suggest that he may have difficulty retaining the party’s endorsement. Mr Fauzi has been widely criticised for failing to deal adequately with the city’s transportation woes. The Democrats may select instead retired two-star general Nachrowi Ramli, head of the party’s Jakarta chapter.

Deputy Governor Prijanto has also revealed his intention to contest, possibly with the Muslim- based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). But the PKS may decide to support Mr Triwisaksana, the Deputy Speaker of the Jakarta City Council.

Other personalities seeking the endorsement of the major parties include Surabaya Deputy Mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono (who is believed to be courting the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P), and retired marine general Nono Sampono, a former commander of the presidential guard and head of the nation’s search and rescue agency. General Sampono is looking to obtain the endorsement of the Golkar party.

Sadly, candidates who could bring real change may not even get to the starting gate. Well-known economist Faisal Basri wants to stand as an independent but faces a major hurdle: the requirement for such candidates to collect support from at least 4 per cent of the total population (about 360,000 people) to be eligible.

Mr Joko Widodo, the popular Mayor of Solo in Central Java known for his clean record and efficient administration, is considering the post as well. But his supporters do not want him to move and his PDI-P party is considering other candidates.

Over the next few weeks, potential candidates can be expected to promote their respective solutions to the city’s problems – chronic traffic congestion, poor public transportation, annual flooding and urban poverty. Surabaya’s Mr Bambang, for example, has identified health care, education and environmental protection as his three campaign planks. Mr Priya has promised — if elected — to provide Jakarta with 1,000 buses to improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion.

Based on the number of votes received in previous elections, the Democrats have the most supporters in the capital, followed by the PKS. But as political observer Nico Harjanto of the Rajawali Foundation notes, “Democrat voters are not known for their loyalty”. PKS supporters, on the other hand, tend to be more committed. The party also has a more efficient campaign organisation.

Surprisingly few Jakarta governors have gone on to develop careers in national politics. This may have something to do with popular frustration over the fact that none has yet been able to deal effectively with the city’s problems.

For the nation’s political parties, however, a Jakarta governor’s prospects for career advancement probably matters little. What is more important, is whether next year’s election will provide them with a political base from which to fight the 2014 elections. And for that prize, the battle has only just begun.

(C) Singapore Press Holdings Limited