'The government makes us suffer'<\/p>\n
The recent government decision to increase fuel prices,
\nelectricity and telephone rates has been roundly criticized by
\nthe public. A number of Jakartans expressed their anger to The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Widyanarti, 32, is a housewife who lives with her husband and
\ndaughter in Kayu Jati, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
As poor people, we are hardly able to afford the exorbitant
\nprices of staple foods. I'm afraid that this situation will
\ntrigger massive violence by the people. Just wait and see!<\/p>\n
Actually, I'm not willing to give any comment on this since it
\nwill be useless. Public protests will not be effective enough to
\nforce the government to think of the people.<\/p>\n
I think that a \"people power\" movement would be able to
\nadvance the public's interests. If necessary, all components of
\nsociety, including educated people and middle-class people who
\nhave the same concerns, should join the movement.<\/p>\n
I think the Soeharto regime was much more favorable to the
\npeople's welfare than Megawati's administration.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I'm of the opinion that some articles in
\nthe Constitution, particularly Article 34 (which says the state
\nhas the obligation to take care of the poor and orphans), should
\nbe deleted. It's just bulls**t!<\/p>\n
Hartono, drives a bajaj in Pulogadung, East Jakarta. He lives
\nwith friends in Tanah Mas, East Jakarta. His wife and son live in
\nCentral Java:<\/p>\n
The frequent fuel price increases are not surprising because
\nwe have become accustomed to it. But when all of the prices are
\nall of sudden increased at the same time like now, that shocks
\nme.<\/p>\n
I will have to be more careful about managing my expenses
\nsince my income is more or less the same as last year. I get Rp
\n40,000 a day.<\/p>\n
I will have to anticipate a rise in my house rent from Rp
\n80,000 a month. And I will have to be careful about what I eat so
\nI can save some money by cutting down on the Rp 15,000 a day I
\nnow spend on food.<\/p>\n
I don't think the government or high-ranking are reliable or
\ncredible. I don't believe them at all.<\/p>\n
It would be useless to force Megawati to step down because the
\nnext president would likely be unable to deal with poverty.<\/p>\n
So I guess it would be better to let her serve out her term
\nuntil 2004. Despite the miserable conditions, we have to accept
\nthe situation and wait for an elected leader who will side with
\nthe poor.<\/p>\n
Ndarti, is a nurse who owns a maternity clinic in Kemayoran,
\nCentral Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I feel that the price increases will have a significant impact
\non my family.<\/p>\n
There are 10 people living in my house and I spend some Rp
\n600,000 for electricity and the telephone every month.<\/p>\n
For staple foods, I have to allocate about Rp 50,000 a day for
\nour large family.<\/p>\n
I don't know how we will survive this year if I have to pay
\nmore. Perhaps I will have to find a way to be more thrifty in
\nmanaging our expenses.<\/p>\n
I have told my husband not to use the car every day to save on
\ngas. Still I'm confused about how to cope with the situation.<\/p>\n
I wonder what the government wants from the poor.
\nUnfortunately, I don't have the guts to protest, and it would be
\nin vain anyway. We need unity to protest and make the government
\nreverse the policy.<\/p>\n
Dedi, 39, is a vendor who has been selling fried snacks on Jl.
\nKelapa Gading, North Jakarta for 20 years. His wife and three
\nchildren live in Majalengka, West Java:<\/p>\n
How much more will I have to fork out to run my business? I
\nusually spend about Rp 150,000 to buy the items I need and I only
\ntake home between Rp 20,000 and Rp 35,000 a day. With price
\nincreases in cooking oil, kerosene and flour, I don't think I
\nwill earn all that much anymore.<\/p>\n
It's true that the government always victimizes low-income
\nearners. They never side with us. The country's budget deficit is
\ndue to corrupt officials and tycoons, but why do innocent people
\nhave to suffer the most?<\/p>\n
I'm angry with the government, but what can I do? The leaders
\nand high-ranking officials of this country do not pay any heed to
\nwhat the poor have to say.<\/p>\n
There's no other option but to accept this way of life. Poor
\npeople mean nothing to the rest of society!<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-government-makes-us-suffer-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }