`I'm really pessimistic and expecting nothing'<\/p>\n
The city council is continuing its meeting to discuss the 2003
\ncity budget, totaling Rp 11.05 trillion. If the budget proposal
\nis approved, each councillor will get a monthly income of about
\nRp 90 million. In response, The Jakarta Post talked with some
\ncity residents on the budget meeting being held at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Gloria, 26, lives with her family in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.
\nShe works for a private company in Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I'm not interested in making any comments on the city
\ncouncillors or the governor. They are all dishonest, as far as
\nI'm concerned.<\/p>\n
They act like little emperors and enjoy living off the money
\nmeant for the poor. Their comfortable lives have made them forget
\ntheir supporters, including low income city residents who have
\ncontributed a lot to their finances through taxes.<\/p>\n
I don't think they represent the people. I wonder who or what
\nthey actually represent. They're greedy for people's money, I
\nguess.<\/p>\n
The 2003 budget meeting they are currently holding will be
\nmeaningless as long as it is not being publicly monitored for
\ntransparency. The meeting will result in nothing being done for
\nthe poor. It is just another way to make themselves richer. No
\nwonder so many people fight for a chance to become a councillor:
\nThey want to enjoy endless wealth without siding with the public.<\/p>\n
I'm tired of thinking about the councillors. I'm really
\npessimistic and am expecting nothing to come out of this meeting
\nthat will prioritize the less fortunate in the city.<\/p>\n
Dwi Wahyu P., 26, is an employee at a publishing company in
\nCiracas, East Jakarta. He lives in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, West
\nJava:<\/p>\n
I don't agree with the 2003 budget meeting held by the city
\ncouncillors as it will be to no avail.<\/p>\n
The budget lacks proper allocations for public facilities,
\nsuch as traditional markets, garbage dumps or city parks. The
\ncity budget will certainly fall short of addressing the poverty
\nissue.<\/p>\n
The budget allocation does not make any sense as each
\ncouncillor will receive an outrageous sum of money each month. I
\nwonder why they cannot be responsible enough to help those who
\nearn a low income.<\/p>\n
I'm pessimistic that they will side with the public because
\nthey are insensitive and not responsive to people's urgent needs.<\/p>\n
I still hope that the executives and the legislators will
\ntighten their belts in a sign of support with the less fortunate.<\/p>\n
Eki, 28, lives with his only son and wife in Srengseng, West
\nJakarta. He works for a nearby firm:<\/p>\n
The allocation of the 2003 city budget only favors the city
\ncouncillors and the governor. I think that it is unrealistic.<\/p>\n
The budget fund has been wasted on councillors. How can one
\ncity councillor get Rp 90 million every month? Not to mention the
\ngovernor's monthly salary and his fantastic allowances.<\/p>\n
It is impossible to compare the salaries of those who earn a
\nlow income, like me, with the salaries of representatives. I have
\nto work for more than eight years to get the same amount as what
\na city councillor earns in one month.<\/p>\n
A councillor, who should be representing the public's
\ninterests, can buy a fancy car during his term. Unfortunately,
\nthey just think of themselves instead of the people's interests.<\/p>\n
I don't see any reason why the councillors should hold a
\nbudget meeting. What is it for? I have no hope that anything
\npositive will come out of the meeting, because as usual, it's the
\npoor who are always the ones to suffer economic hardships.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/im-really-pessimistic-and-expecting-nothing-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }