Jakarta (Antara Babel) - Negative campaigning is necessary in politics, so that people can understand the weaknesses and strengths of the candidates, stated political communication observer of Diponegoro State University Semarang Triyono Lukmantoro.
"Negative campaign reveals the weaknesses of the candidates based on facts. It is different from black campaign where the material tends to slander and spread hatred," claimed Triyono Lukmantoro when contacted on Tuesday.
Triyono pointed out that the candidates will have to show their vision, mission, and strengths while campaigning. Therefore, negative campaign is needed during the election campaigning period to reveal facts about each candidate.
"In no way will candidates ever disclose their weaknesses during campaigning. Their weaknesses are only revealed by the political opponents," he remarked.
Regarding negative campaigning in the 2014 presidential election, Triyono noted that several things have come to light based on the facts in the past.
For instance, a negative campaign claimed that Joko Widodo was aware of the corruption in the TransJakarta project.
"As governor, he certainly knows about the TransJakarta bus procurement," Triyono reiterated.
Similarly, Prabowo Subianto is associated with the May 1998 riots and the loss of some activists at the end of the New Order period.
"Prabowo is associated with the riots of May 1998 and the kidnapping of activists," he explained.
Therefore, Triyono believes that negative campaigning is essential rather than black campaigning.
