Hope is high for the elected leaders<\/p>\n
In another democratic move, people across the country will
\ntake part for the first time in electing leaders in their
\nrespective regions. How do they feel about this and what do they
\nwish for the elected leaders? The Jakarta Post interviewed some
\npeople and compiled their opinions in the following report.<\/p>\n
Ignasius Dwi K., 32, a poultry farmer in the Central Java town
\nof Sleman:<\/p>\n
The government never really helps poultry farmers, not on
\npolicies or funding. When our farms collapsed because of bird flu
\nand the market plummeted, the government did not help.<\/p>\n
Whether the regent is elected by the councillors or directly
\nby the people, it still will not do people like me any good. If
\nour businesses go bankrupt, we have to carry the burden
\nourselves, trying to get loans from here and there. Only we can
\nhelp ourselves.<\/p>\n
And I'm not sure I'll vote either. If I'm not busy, I'll vote,
\nbut if I'm busy feeding my chickens. In fact, I'd rather go feed
\nmy chickens, it'll do more good.<\/p>\n
Sri Setyawati, an anthropology lecturer at the University of
\nAndalas in Padang:<\/p>\n
The upcoming elections, although they will be direct
\nelections, will not turn out much differently from previous
\nelections. The preparation has been done in a limited time and
\npeople are not involved in selecting the candidates. In the end,
\nthe elections will not be able to elect leaders who can bring in
\nreal changes.<\/p>\n
For the people, the elections are just a routine. I'm sure
\nmany voters will perform their duties (vote on polling day) with
\nlittle understanding or knowledge of the candidates.<\/p>\n
Sgt. Maj. Sudarsono, 37, a resident living Soreang, Bandung
\nregency:<\/p>\n
I hope the incumbent regent does not win the election since he
\nhas made no improvements to the welfare of people who are mostly
\npoor and can't find decent work.<\/p>\n
I want the elected regent to come from the younger generation
\nwho has the spirit to make changes, independent and free from
\ncorruption. I want him to think more about the people instead of
\n'paying back' his supporters.<\/p>\n
Jansen Hutagaol, 48, a parking attendant in Medan:<\/p>\n
Direct election or not it's all bulls**t. The candidates (for
\nthe elections) never really care about the people. You can see
\nquite easily that poor people have remained poor and the leaders
\nare getting richer.<\/p>\n
I'm worried there that will be chaos during the elections
\nbecause the candidates' supporters will do anything to win. The
\nsigns of trouble can already be seen in several areas. The
\ngovernment must try to prevent this. Otherwise, it's the people
\nwho will become the victims.<\/p>\n
Agus Sujianto, 29, a private employee in Semarang:<\/p>\n
I want the Semarang mayor-elect to deal with flood problems.
\nThe city experiences flooding every year but the problem is never
\nsolved. I want the mayor to provide balanced city space, where
\nthere are parks and public spaces for recreation.<\/p>\n
Isbedy Stiawan Z.S., 47, an artist living in West
\nTanjungkarang district, Bandarlampung:<\/p>\n
Considering that Lampung has many tribal organizations and
\n'paramilitary' groups who openly wear military-style uniform and
\ntrain for \"self-defense\", I'm worried that conflict might easily
\nerupt because in reality, many candidates are competing to get
\nthose groups' support.<\/p>\n
As an artist, I dream of a leader who cares about parks and
\nopen space. Currently, there's almost no public space in
\nBandarlampung. The only option is Saburai field, which belongs to
\nthe Garuda Hitam military command, but is being used for
\nracetrack.<\/p>\n
Rumbadie Dalle, 49, a journalist and deputy chairman of the
\nIndonesia Journalists Association in Riau Islands:<\/p>\n
The elections are expected to come up with credible leaders
\nelected by the people. The elections are good in a democratic
\nsystem, since people don't have to rely on a couple of dozen
\ncouncillors, who are prone to take bribes in exchange for votes.
\nBuying millions of people's votes will be impossible to do.<\/p>\n
But there's a concern that there might be clashes by villagers
\nover their supported candidates. The clashes might occur if the
\ncandidates are not fair. The police should be alert on this.<\/p>\n
Herman Sanjaya, 32, a resident of Batuah village in Kutai
\nKartanegara regency, East Kalimantan:<\/p>\n
I just hope the promise to repair the road in my village can
\nbe realized by the elected regent. Promises were made during the
\ngeneral elections in 1999 to 2004, but nothing ever happened. In
\nthe campaign, the candidates are again promising to repair the
\nroad, but it seems the people are not sure it will be kept.<\/p>\n
Masri, General Manager of Novotel Hotel in Bukittinggi, West
\nSumatra:<\/p>\n
As we're in the tourism business, we hope the elected West
\nSumatra governor and Bukittinggi mayor are people who have a
\nbasic concept about tourism development. Someone who has a
\ntourism vision and can focus on developing the sector.<\/p>\n
I also hope the elected leaders can accommodate the interests
\nof all. And since people agree that Bukittinggi is a tourist
\ncity, it's hoped that the elected leaders can develop the city so
\nall people can enjoy the benefits.<\/p>\n
Rozali Abdullah, chairman of the Jambi Province Election
\nCommittee:<\/p>\n
Anyone who wins the election should be able to lead with a
\nsolid mandate because they're elected by the people. Everyone
\ntaking part in the election is thus taking part in the
\ndevelopment of the province.<\/p>",
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