`Direct election is the best way'

`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.