'Can entertainers make good legislators?'
As the deadline on Jan. 19 approaches, some 24 political parties have been struggling to meet the 30-percent quota for women candidates in the general election on April 5. Even those that have managed to meet the quota as recommended by the Elections Law have given their women candidates a low priority by placing them at the bottom of their lists. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents on the issue.
Uli, 30, works as a manager for a company. She lives with her parents in Kota, West Jakarta:
I'm pessimistic that the 30 percent quota for women legislators will be achieved because there aren't many intelligent women who can do the job. Even if the quota is fulfilled, I'd still question their capabilities.
It's possible that parties will just pick any woman who comes along solely to meet the quota. Look at the way parties are trying to garner support by using female entertainers as their candidates. I'm not saying that entertainers are not capable. I'm just asking whether they are really capable of being legislators?
Whatever happens, there won't be any significant changes as regards the development of women's rights in the country.
Indy, 40, is a supervisor with a publishing company. She lives in Petamburan, Central Jakarta:
The quota will be fulfilled in numerical terms but there won't be many capable women elected as the parties are only interested in meeting the quota.
I feel very pessimistic that the female legislative candidates will bring about changes regarding the rights and advancement of women in the country. What do you expect from unqualified and incapable legislators?
Kwee Tjin Tjai, 30, is a human resources department manager with a paper manufacturer in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives with his wife and baby boy in Cikokol, Tangerang:
My personal opinion is that the quota for women candidates should be 40 percent instead of 30 percent. That would be fair and square.
Even with a 30 percent quota, I am pessimistic that the parties will be able to comply with the recommendation in the general election as our society is still too patriarchal. They are not ready to accept women as leaders.
The election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as President was just an accident of history. It won't be repeated unless people can accept women and give them more chances to lead.
-- The Jakarta Post