Some people would look at Indonesians’ love of gadgets, technology consumption patterns, and social media utilization rate as indicators of the country’s modernity. But that’s only one dimension of Indonesia. Access to technology does not always mean departure from antiquated traditions or beliefs. Some Indonesians still believe in mysticisms and consequently the power of shamanism. We have covered this topic in relation to consumerism before. But today, we’ll look into the role of shamanism in politics, especially in relation to the politics of 2014.

We all know by now that the Governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is the man of the hour. He’s that great of a magnet that foreign media too are interested in covering his activities. A few days ago journalists from France 2 followed the Governor around town, and then before that Haslinda Amin of Bloomberg interviewed him during his now-iconic field visits (locally referred to as blusukan). The Governor was also covered by the New York Times. This is just to mention the few big ones. But are we giving him too much credit? Will he be that great leader that some people think he could be?

The motivations of politicians participating in the 2014 election, vying for a seat in the House of Representatives (DPR), may not always be something obvious to us. There are those who are genuinely seeking to serve the country, and then there are those who are perhaps seeking for more income opportunities. Those of the latter would be willing to “invest” a lot of money for a future of rent seeking. The question is, from where did they get the money? If it’s not all theirs, what would happen if they lose the competition?

Surya Paloh’s NasDem Party nominates Dr Kurtubi, the famous oil and gas ‘observer’, as lawmaker candidate in the election area of West Nusa Tenggara. He competes, among others, Lalu Mara Satria Wangsa, spokesperson of Bakrie Family, from Golkar Party in the province, home of copper-gold mine of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT).

Topjaya Group is a famous name in consumer electronic market as main partner of Toshiba in Indonesia. It has two companies in the sector, namely PT Topjaya Sarana Utama and PT Topjaya Antariksa Elektronik. The group, like others, however, has expanded into other business sectors, including palm oil, timber, and mining.

Like in South Kalimantan election area, we see some people from coal business nominated as lawmakers in Central Kalimantan, home to both coking and thermal coal resources. Gerindra Party, for example, nominates executive of one coal mining group with assets in both provinces. Gerindra’s boss Prabowo Subianto is known for interests in the industry.

Sarwoto Atmosutarno, former CEO of Telkomsel, a JV between Telkom and SingTel, is nominated a lawmaker candidate of Nasional Demokrat (NasDem) Party for Central Java V election area. He competes controversial celebrity Angel Lelga Anddreyani (from Islamic party PPP) and Puan Maharani (daughter of Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDI-P) in the area.

Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party nominates G Budisatrio Djiwandono, director of the troubled pulp manufacturer PT Kertas Nusantara (controlled by Prabowo), as lawmaker in East Kalimantan election area. The 33-year old executive competes with people like Norbaiti Isran Noor, wife of Eas Kutai regent Isran Noor, in the resource rich province.

Harry Tanoesoedibjo’s Hanura Party nominates Arief Suditomo, chief editor of RCTI and managing director of Sindo TV (both are companies controlled by Harry’s MNC Group), as lawmaker candidate for West Java I election area. Prabowo’s Gerindra Party, meanwhile, nominates Aria Sulhan Witoelar (CEO of Bubu Kreasi Perdana), for West Java III election area.

Charles Honoris, director of PT Foton Mobilindo (distributor of automotive products)—member of Modern Group (Honoris Family), is among lawmaker candidates for Jakarta III election area from PDI Perjuangan. He competes names like Effendi Simbolon (lawmaker at House Commission VII) and Richard Sam Bera (Indonesian swimming champion) in that area as candidates from PDI-P.