The Wire

Up to 130 million Indonesians voted today in the country’s first ever Presidential poll. In preparation for this new-found democracy, Indonesian political parties have set the party mode on full volume, with giant colourful rallies, endorsements by pop singers and dancers introducing presidential speakers. Even the candidates sing a song or two to get the party started. So how important is peronality compared to policy? Taya Fabijanic spoke to Indonesia specialist, Adrian Vickers, from the Centre for Asia PAcific Social Transformation Studies at the University of Wollongong to get the lowdown on the Indonesian political process.