`Direct election is the best way'

The House of Representatives is deliberating the revision of Law No. 34/1999 on Jakarta's administration, to allow for a direct gubernatorial election. Governor Sutiyoso said it was difficult to hold a direct gubernatorial election in the city, as Jakartans were not yet ready to elect their governor directly, let alone handle the costs. The Jakarta Post talked to several people on the street, whose responses may surprise Sutiyoso.

Naman, 60, is a sidewalk vendor selling soft drinks in Slipi, West Jakarta. He lives with his wife and three children in Petamburan, Central Jakarta:

We have been waiting a long time to have a direct gubernatorial election. I completely agree with the idea.

Besides, most low-income people are fed up with the old systems under which city councillors elect the city governor -- as in the case of Governor Sutiyoso's re-election.

A direct election is the best way to run the so-called democracy in the country. The poor knows whether the candidates who are worthy of leading the city better than the city councillors.

I think a direct election is far more objective in voting for the right governor. Money will no longer matter for the people to vote. That's good. I like it.

We no longer believe the city councillors, because they aren't reliable representatives of the people. Their morals have rotted because of their corrupt mentality.

Even ignorant people like me understand that Sutiyoso was reelected because of the power of his money to bribe the city councillors. It's hard to prove the bribery, because the councillors are not careless in playing this dirty game. But all city residents figure it's all about money politics.

It's no wonder that Sutiyoso feels uneasy with the idea, because he realizes that most city residents disagreed with reelecting him and declined to vote for him.

Iwan, 25, is a street musician in Blok M, South Jakarta. He lives in Pejompongan, South Jakarta, with his family:

I agree completely for the city residents to vote for their city governor directly. It's in line with the concept of democracy, the people for the people.

This kind of system will allow people to take part actively in the election process. That's a far fairer election, I think.

It's the right timing, not depending on those unreliable people's representatives in the city administration anymore. They are no longer trustworthy, because most of them are simply concerned about money and power. The people's aspirations are ignored when they are tempted by money.

I think that it would be better to eliminate all the current city councillors, since they are all corrupt. It's time to replace them with a new, accountable generation.

At the very least, with this system we will be able to put aside mischievous leaders like Sutiyoso, who won the election by the power of money. Keeping the old system will only cause poor people more suffering.

I still wonder how Sutiyoso, with his unfavorable track record, could be reelected. He still has to resolve the problems of the unforgettable July 27 tragedy.

Besides, many city residents hate him.

Heru, 27, is newspaper boy who sells papers on public vehicles. He lives in Depok, West Java:

I think I agree completely with the idea to elect the governor directly. If the upcoming general election applies the direct presidential election, let alone with the gubernatorial election.

In this respect, all people will be more selective when voting for gubernatorial candidates. People will identify with individual candidates more than the city councillors, who would never dare to come down to the low-income neighborhoods.

The proverb saying 'if you have money, you will be loved; if you have no money, you will be loathed' will no longer hold in a direct election. Money will not matter, because people will be more objective in selecting their leaders.

Furthermore, democracy will be implemented better -- the concept of democracy has faded away because of corrupt officials and city councillors.

I'm sure Sutiyoso won't get any votes in such an election. His wealth is nothing, and anyway, we don't trust the people's representatives any longer. They never side with the poor, only with money.

I think the suggested system will involve the people actively in the election. They can directly observe the candidate and vote for the most suitable leader.

I am happy to know this, because we can find out whether or not the potential leaders will side with the people.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.