(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Over 15000 indonesians had registered to vote but diplomatic missions in abu dhabi and dubai expected a voter turnout of less than 20 per cent
Indonesian expatriates in the uae cast their votes enthusiastically for the first time from abroad in the third direct presidential elections at their diplomatic missions in abu dhabi and dubai on friday.
To be voted were two pairs of candidates. the first panel supported by six major political coalitions comprises former general h. prabowo subianto and coordinating minister for economic affairs in the current cabinet h. m. hatta rajasa while the second backed by four big political coalitions comprises jakarta governor jokowidodo and former vice-president dr. h. m. jusuf kalla.
an expatriate casts his vote in the presidential elections at the indonesian consulate in dubai on friday. — kt photo by grace guino
Over 15000 indonesians had registered to vote but diplomatic missions in abu dhabi and dubai expected a voter turnout of less than 20 per cent as in the previous parliamentary elections conducted on april 9 this year. of the 15000 8041 were registered voters in dubai and the northern emirates and the rest in abu dhabi.
Hanafi athena of the indonesia embassy in abu dhabi said most of the registered voters are domestic workers who are not well informed but only through text messages to their employers who might not have informed them. “this is our third direct presidential elections after 2004 and 2009. previously presidents were elected by the parliament” athena said.
Consul adiguna wijaya at the indonesia consulate in dubai told khaleej times that only 1500 were expected to vote from dubai and the northern emirates. “in the last parliamentary elections only 300 indonesians came out to vote in the first direct election outside indonesia.”
He said voting in the presidential elections outside indonesia is being conducted from july 4 to 6 but in the middle east it was only on friday. “we were expecting a better turnout this year based on the enthusiasm of the citizens. we set up three voting centres in dubai in anticipation of a better turnout as compared to last april.”
Being the first direct presidential election outside indonesia made indonesian expatriates very excited to participate.
Amelia kusnindito who has been a resident of dubai for 14 years expressed hoped that the next president would make changes in the country’s law on mixed marriages. “i am married to a british but i can only carry an indonesian passport. i have no chance to get a british passport because this is a law. i really hope in my heart that the president i choose in this election will espouse changes. so far i have seen that this candidate i choose in my heart has been supporting the indonesian diaspora particularly those married to other nationalities outside my country.”
Tjatur bektiastuti legrjan who is married to a german and has been in dubai for two years was happy to vote in this election. “this is the time for us indonesians to give our opinion and show our choice of a leader. i hope the one i choose this time will improve our country in terms of cutting bureaucratic red tape.
“in dubai if the authorities say pay dh2000 i get what documents or services i want for that amount. in indonesia if they say pay 200 indonesian rupees i do not get it until i keep going back and pay more and more and still may not get it. i want the new president to put an end to this.”
Lilykhaleejtimes.com
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