'What is the Annual Session for?'<\/p>\n
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Annual Session happens
\nonly once a year, an event which state officials, politicians and
\nsome people believe is important. However, most people,
\nespecially those at the grassroots level, believe both the
\nsession and the Assembly members are useless.<\/p>\n
M. Chandra, 17, is a student at state-high school SMU 4 in
\nGambir, Central Jakarta. He lives in Menteng:<\/p>\n
What is the real goal of the reforms? It moves nowhere and the
\npeople's representatives don't represent the people's aspirations
\nat all. I don't feel they are my representatives either.<\/p>\n
The Annual Session is meaningless. It's just a waste of money.
\nMoney is more powerful now than the real needs of the people. The
\nlegislators there are made mute with money. I don't even see the
\nfunction of the legislators.<\/p>\n
I am of the opinion that if the leaders and legislators
\ncontinue to fight for power, the result is nothing.<\/p>\n
Above all, it'd be better for me to think about my own
\neducation rather than wasting my time thinking of the inactive
\npeople's representatives.<\/p>\n
We don't bother their own political interests and we have our
\nown interests as students. It's their own business, not mine.<\/p>\n
Sutrisno, 27, is a mobile salesman who has been selling
\nconstruction materials for four years. He comes from Klaten,
\nCentral Java, is still single and lives by himself in Kalimalang,
\nEast Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I didn't know the Annual Session was on. I don't know what it
\nis for. It is beyond my knowledge. Would you just ask me how to
\nearn money because it's an easy and real question for me?<\/p>\n
I prefer thinking of how to live rather than thinking about
\nthe session. My life is much more difficult.<\/p>\n
I don't know either, whether the session is useful or useless.
\nSo long as the prices of basic needs are affordable for most
\npeople, the Annual Session works out well. But if the prices
\nremain exorbitant, the session is useless.<\/p>\n
Suleman, 34, sells rat poison in Matraman traditional market
\nin East Jakarta. He was divorced two years ago and has since
\nlived on Jl. Bunga, Matraman by himself. He has owned his
\nbusiness since he was 18-years old:<\/p>\n
I realize that there are some people's representatives. But I
\ndon't see that they are the representatives of the ordinary
\npeople.<\/p>\n
The Annual Session is not necessarily resolving the current
\nproblems. It even worsens the situation, if I may say. There is
\nno longer communal and tolerant cooperation but only alienated
\ncompetition for power.<\/p>\n
The government is only driven by its ambition to dominate its
\npeople while on the other hand oppress the people's interests.<\/p>\n
Worse still, low income people like us can only watch and can
\ndo nothing to help. So, I prefer turning off my TV as soon as it
\nbroadcasts the session. It's just useless.<\/p>\n
Hartono, 30, has been a bajaj (three-wheeled motorized
\nvehicle) driver for 10 years. He is single and lives on Jl.
\nBendungan, East Jakarta. He is from Cirebon, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I agree that they (Assembly members) are the people's
\nrepresentatives because I feel they side with ordinary people
\nlike me.<\/p>\n
I said so because I remember when a number of legislators and
\nparty leaders came and gave donations when I was homeless and
\nmiserable. My house burned down last month.<\/p>\n
The Annual Session in my opinion is necessary to promote the
\nfuture of the country and its people.<\/p>\n
But, I hope the leaders of the country do not use their
\npositions to benefit themselves. Once they play in competition
\nfor power, things will be chaotic.<\/p>\n
I wish they could help make the people's lives more enjoyable.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-is-the-annual-session-for-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }