'Councillors have already forgotten us'

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has "set" the housing allowance for the City Council: Rp 15 million (US$1,650) a month for councillors and Rp 20 million for its leaders. The Jakarta Post interviewed some folks to get their comments on such seeming extravagance.

Afrizon, 43, a trader at Majestic market in South Jakarta. He lives in Kebayoran Lama Utara subdistrict, South Jakarta municipality.

Well, I have read the news in the papers. It indicates that most of our leaders -- both those in the administration and in the Council -- do not care about the fate of poor people who are still struggling to survive.

They only think how to enrich themselves. A councillor spends Rp 15 million a month only for a housing allowance?! For many families in the city, such an amount can be used to rent a house for four years.

Those councillors already have houses now, why do they still need a housing allowance? I think most of them do not need such a facility as all of them are Jakarta residents, who should have a house here. They were able to become legislative candidates in the first place because they were already rich people.

So, how can we believe them when they say that they always think of the interests of the people. I think they always try to take as much money as possible.

Kusnan, 35, is a driver of a public minivan. He lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

I've not believed in any politicians for a long time now, because they've long been exploiting poor people for their own interests. They promise many things prior to the elections, but they forget nearly all of their promises after they reach good positions.

If they are desirous of a Rp 15 million a month accommodation apportionment, it merely serves to amplify the people's antipathy toward them. Although some of these leaders were also impoverished like us, they have already forgotten us since becoming councillors.

They already have houses. Therefore, if they really care about the poor, they can allocate those funds for building plain, but decent, houses for poor people.

I hope that there will be councillors who reject such the allowance. My promise to them is that I will elect them again if they do reject it.