Candidates roll out populist proposals as Indonesia's polls near

Pledges include having therapists to calm people stuck in Jakarta's traffic jams

- Arlina Arshad

Stuck in a Jakarta traffic jam? No worries, we have a carload of therapists and clerics who will stop by to ease your frustration during the interminable wait.

That is what Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil is promising voters in the Nov 27 regional election. He has also made fervent declarations in support of the local football team.

Separately, East Java's Blitar mayoral hopeful Rijanto and his "crazy rich" businessman running mate, Mr Beky Herdihansah, made a roaring entrance by riding a Harley-Davidson bike to submit their candidacy. Their campaign team later reportedly threw 20,000-rupiah (S$1.70) notes into the air for voters to catch.

Campaigning for Indonesia's regional election will officially begin on Sept 25, running for 60 days. For the first time, voters will elect governors simultaneously across 37 provinces, and mayors and regents in over 500 regencies and cities, in what is locally known as pilkada.

Mr Ridwan, former West Java governor and nominee of a coalition of 12 parties, including incoming President Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra, has sparked debate with his controversial traffic solution.

The capital is ranked 30th globally for congestion, with an average 10km trip taking 23 minutes and an average maximum speed of just 21kmh, according to Amsterdambased digital mapping specialist TomTom's 2023 traffic index.

"We've got a programme called 'mobil curhat' (a vehicle to pour your heart out)," Mr Ridwan said on a YouTube podcast with prominent former news anchor Najwa Shihab.

"It's a vehicle that will roam Jakarta with psychologists, counsellors and clerics on board. People won't get angry as easily because they'll have a way to address their mental health.