The rise of Amye
Amanatun-born Amye Un run for Darwin mayorship as an independent candidate. “There were six candidates and I am the only one who was running as an independent because I don’t want to be beholden to any political party,” she told Kompas on Thursday (12/8/2021).
“If I join a party, I am limited in my ability to convey the aspirations of the people accordingly. Public protests often did not make it to the Parliament. As an independent, I can convey whatever the people want,” said Amye.
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She graduated from a vocational school in Kupang city and has been an Australian citizen since 1998, after marrying an Australian. In the election, she received strong support from the lower middle-class segment of the community.
She was ultimately elected a deputy mayor and at the same time appointed as Darwin’s alderman (a member of a municipal assembly or council) on September 20, 2021. (rr)