'Soeharto looked after people's welfare'<\/p>\n
The fight against corruption is one of the important items on the
\nreform agenda. For low-income people, however, their first
\npriority is simply to survive. Several people, whose lives have
\nchanged for the worse since Soeharto's downfall in 1998, told The
\nJakarta Post that Soeharto was still the best president for them,
\nbecause life was better under his rule.<\/p>\n
Andi, 26, is a motorcycle taxi, or ojek, driver in Muara
\nKarang, North Jakarta. He lives in Pakuhaji, Tangerang, with his
\nwife and daughter:<\/p>\n
Soeharto was a dictator when he ruled the country and he was
\ncorrupt, but he looked after people's welfare and provided social
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
His corrupt administration generally ruined the country, so
\nthat the people were burdened with the economic crisis following
\nhis resignation.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, his successors have not been as competent as
\nSoeharto was in governing the country.<\/p>\n
Habibie was a reputable intellectual, but not a good leader.
\nAbdurrahman Wahid's physical defect, I'm sorry to say, was in
\nfact a drawback in his ability to lead the nation. He seemed
\nunable to earn the people's respect, regardless of his
\nintellectual capability.<\/p>\n
Megawati is no better than her predecessors, I'm sure. She
\ncannot cope with the current situation in the country, so low-
\nincome people must keep on living in misery due to the high
\nprices of staple foods and other things.<\/p>\n
I prefer Soeharto, because back then I had a successful life
\nand coffee business. I could make an average of Rp 100,000 a day
\nand within four years, I was able to buy two motorcycles.<\/p>\n
I went bankrupt because of the economic slump after his
\ndownfall and had to sell my motorbikes. I've been leading a much
\ntougher life since then, working as an ojek driver.<\/p>\n
It's difficult to make even Rp 30,000 a day now in this so-
\ncalled reform era. I'm just trying to be patient in coping with
\nthe hardships, while I dream of returning to the prosperity of
\nsix years ago. Someday, I won't be an ojek driver anymore.<\/p>\n
Sobri, 40, is a vendor who sells soft drinks and cigarettes on
\nJl. Kyai Tapa, West Jakarta, and lives in Jelambar, West Jakarta.
\nHis wife and eight children live in Bogor, West Java:<\/p>\n
I can't say who was the best president since the Soeharto era.
\nBesides, I prefer Soeharto because back then, poor people like me
\ncould make money easily.<\/p>\n
I mean, life was not as tough as it is now. Back then, I made
\nless money in a day, but it went further.<\/p>\n
I make around Rp 50,000 a day now, but it's not worth much, as
\nI can't cover my daily expenses with it.<\/p>\n
In a way, the good thing about Soeharto was that he helped
\nlighten the burden of the poor, despite his corrupt government.<\/p>\n
The three presidents after him were all the same. They didn't
\nside with the poor, and they can't improve the situation.<\/p>\n
I always have to watch out for raids by public order officers.
\nThis is proof that the current leader cannot guarantee any
\nsecurity for low-income earners to survive.<\/p>\n
Juni, 23, is a street musician and busks on public
\ntransportation vehicles around Depok, West Jakarta. He lives with
\nhis family in Palmerah, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I believe that former president Soeharto was very good at
\nleadership, development and improving people's welfare,
\nregardless of his corrupt government. Life seemed much easier for
\npoor people then.<\/p>\n
Things changed when B.J. Habibie became president. I can't
\njudge his leadership, but he seemed incapable.<\/p>\n
The next president, Gus Dur, unfortunately had a physical
\nhandicap that somewhat influenced people's respect toward him.<\/p>\n
Finally, Megawati Soekarnoputri is also an unqualified leader.
\nShe was only elected because of her late father's charisma.<\/p>\n
Perhaps she is not intelligent and has no leadership skills
\nbecause she cannot help ease the hardships of people.<\/p>\n
Reform is no longer a hope for a brighter future.<\/p>\n
It's unfortunate that I graduated from vocational high school
\nafter Soeharto's resignation, because the competition for jobs
\nhas gotten tougher and tougher in the reform era. That's why I
\nchose to be street singer.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-looked-after-peoples-welfare-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }