'Anniversary does nothing to improve my life'<\/p>\n
Jakarta celebrated its 478th anniversary on June 22 amid reports
\nof malnutrition in the capital. Many people say that the
\nadministration should put more money into improving public
\nservices, especially for the poor, rather than buying fireworks.
\nThe Jakarta Post asked residents for suggestions on how Jakarta
\ncould become a more livable city.<\/p>\n
Acang, 34, is a street vendor in the Tanah Abang area, Central
\nJakarta. He lives nearby in the Petamburan area:<\/p>\n
Any anniversary would not make my life better. The Jakarta
\npublic order officers chase us as if we are criminals, although
\nwe do nothing else but sell things to passersby.<\/p>\n
We have to work hard just to survive. We need the money to
\nfeed our family and send the children to school.<\/p>\n
If the city administration can give me a better job, I will
\nexpress my gratitude. But if they cannot offer any alternative
\njob, then they should leave street vendors alone. I don't want to
\nbecome a robber or pickpocket.<\/p>\n
Ucok, 30, is an activist with a non-governmental organization
\nwhose office is in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He lives in a
\nboarding house on Jl. Kramat Raya, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The city administration's officials must use the momentum of
\nthe Jakarta anniversary to correct the errors they have made
\nthrough the year.<\/p>\n
As an activist who closely monitors the use of taxpayers's
\nmoney, I must say that city leaders, particularly Governor
\nSutiyoso, must prove their seriousness in combating corruption,
\ncollusion, and nepotism.<\/p>\n
Without corruption, the city administration could
\nsignificantly improve people's welfare with its Rp 14 trillion
\n(US$1.47 billion) budget for this year.<\/p>\n
With such money, the city could assist students of poor
\nfamilies with paying school fees. The city can also give
\nadditional nutrition for children from poor families so that
\nthere will be no more malnutrition cases in the city.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/anniversary-does-nothing-to-improve-my-life-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }