Despite a lukewarm response to an appearance by celebrity Julia Perez in Pacitan, East Java, over the weekend, the coalition backing her bid to be deputy district head is still confident she can end the domination of the Democratic Party in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s hometown.
“There is this thinking, since Pacitan is SBY’s birthplace, then we should let the Democrats win the election without a fight,” Sutikno, the leader of the coalition of eight parties, told on Sunday.
“If we go with [Julia], pair her up with anyone, I predict we will win” and break the domination of the Democrats, said the branch leader of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) in Pacitan.
Sutikno said the risque actress-cum-singer, known more for her bikini photos than political pursuits, was needed by Pacitan because she spoke four different languages — Dutch, French, English and Indonesian — and could help attract tourists and foreign investors.
During the starlet’s roadshow on Saturday, Julia donned a headscarf and showcased her language skills at an Islamic boarding school by teaching students to count from one to 10 in French and Dutch.
Sutikno said her linguistic abilities meant good business. “She can lure foreign investors,” he said, adding this was something previous district heads had failed to do.
In Pacitan, Julia told, “I will turn this place into Monaco. It has potential for tourism.”
Sutikno said among Julia’s many assets was her high electability.
“I’m sure those young people who like dangdut will vote for Julia,” he said, predicting 70 percent of young voters would cast ballots for the singer, who is also a “condom ambassador” for the National AIDS Commission.
He said previous district heads may have had more formal education than Julia, a high school graduate, but they had failed to bring prosperity to the region.
“I think the people in Pacitan have lost faith in smart district heads,” he said.
Sutikno said the coalition was considering five possible candidates for district head to run with Julia, including one of Yudhoyono’s cousins, Nurcahyono.
Julia also met with the current district head, Suyono, who welcomed her bid.
He said whoever was elected to run the district, they had to be committed to continuing the development programs already under way. “This also applies if Julia becomes the deputy head.”
Not everyone was pleased with her visit, however. “I’m embarrassed to even imagine her as our leader,” said Ratnasari, who owns a batik shop. “When I hang out with my friends, we joke around about her. She’s a joke.
“I know there are women and youth groups opposed to her bid. They will do what they can to stop her from running,” she said.
Other women said they did not want to be led by someone with dubious leadership qualities and morals.
Sutikno also dismissed concerns about Julia’s morals. “She was well-received by an Islamic school. That proves she’s accepted here,” he said.
Julia was diplomatic about the controversy. “I’m just responding to what life offers me; pros and cons are part of democracy.”
“There is this thinking, since Pacitan is SBY’s birthplace, then we should let the Democrats win the election without a fight,” Sutikno, the leader of the coalition of eight parties, told on Sunday.
“If we go with [Julia], pair her up with anyone, I predict we will win” and break the domination of the Democrats, said the branch leader of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) in Pacitan.
Sutikno said the risque actress-cum-singer, known more for her bikini photos than political pursuits, was needed by Pacitan because she spoke four different languages — Dutch, French, English and Indonesian — and could help attract tourists and foreign investors.
During the starlet’s roadshow on Saturday, Julia donned a headscarf and showcased her language skills at an Islamic boarding school by teaching students to count from one to 10 in French and Dutch.
Sutikno said her linguistic abilities meant good business. “She can lure foreign investors,” he said, adding this was something previous district heads had failed to do.
In Pacitan, Julia told, “I will turn this place into Monaco. It has potential for tourism.”
Sutikno said among Julia’s many assets was her high electability.
“I’m sure those young people who like dangdut will vote for Julia,” he said, predicting 70 percent of young voters would cast ballots for the singer, who is also a “condom ambassador” for the National AIDS Commission.
He said previous district heads may have had more formal education than Julia, a high school graduate, but they had failed to bring prosperity to the region.
“I think the people in Pacitan have lost faith in smart district heads,” he said.
Sutikno said the coalition was considering five possible candidates for district head to run with Julia, including one of Yudhoyono’s cousins, Nurcahyono.
Julia also met with the current district head, Suyono, who welcomed her bid.
He said whoever was elected to run the district, they had to be committed to continuing the development programs already under way. “This also applies if Julia becomes the deputy head.”
Not everyone was pleased with her visit, however. “I’m embarrassed to even imagine her as our leader,” said Ratnasari, who owns a batik shop. “When I hang out with my friends, we joke around about her. She’s a joke.
“I know there are women and youth groups opposed to her bid. They will do what they can to stop her from running,” she said.
Other women said they did not want to be led by someone with dubious leadership qualities and morals.
Sutikno also dismissed concerns about Julia’s morals. “She was well-received by an Islamic school. That proves she’s accepted here,” he said.
Julia was diplomatic about the controversy. “I’m just responding to what life offers me; pros and cons are part of democracy.”
