'Anniversary does nothing to improve my life'

'Anniversary does nothing to improve my life'

Jakarta celebrated its 478th anniversary on June 22 amid reports
of malnutrition in the capital. Many people say that the
administration should put more money into improving public
services, especially for the poor, rather than buying fireworks.
The Jakarta Post asked residents for suggestions on how Jakarta
could become a more livable city.

Acang, 34, is a street vendor in the Tanah Abang area, Central
Jakarta. He lives nearby in the Petamburan area:

Any anniversary would not make my life better. The Jakarta
public order officers chase us as if we are criminals, although
we do nothing else but sell things to passersby.

We have to work hard just to survive. We need the money to
feed our family and send the children to school.

If the city administration can give me a better job, I will
express my gratitude. But if they cannot offer any alternative
job, then they should leave street vendors alone. I don't want to
become a robber or pickpocket.

Ucok, 30, is an activist with a non-governmental organization
whose office is in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He lives in a
boarding house on Jl. Kramat Raya, East Jakarta:

The city administration's officials must use the momentum of
the Jakarta anniversary to correct the errors they have made
through the year.

As an activist who closely monitors the use of taxpayers's
money, I must say that city leaders, particularly Governor
Sutiyoso, must prove their seriousness in combating corruption,
collusion, and nepotism.

Without corruption, the city administration could
significantly improve people's welfare with its Rp 14 trillion
(US$1.47 billion) budget for this year.

With such money, the city could assist students of poor
families with paying school fees. The city can also give
additional nutrition for children from poor families so that
there will be no more malnutrition cases in the city.

-- The Jakarta Post