'Gender of no concern, just good legislators'

Many people consider politics to be a hotbed of sexism as reflected in the fact that only 9 percent of the legislators in the House of Representatives are women.

To address this glaring imbalance, the political parties are required to abide by a 30 percent quota for women candidates in the legislative elections.

Some have met this quota, but placed most of their women candidates -- many of whom are entertainers -- at the bottom of their lists. However, some potential voters The Jakarta Post spoke to did not see the need for the quota.

Vera, 31, works as an editor for a company in East Jakarta. She lives in Depok with her husband and son:

There shouldn't be any form of quota for women legislators as imposing a quota is tantamount to discrimination. No quota is set for men, so why should women be different?

I personally think that the setting of a quota only serves to limit the number of seats for women. That's exactly what discrimination is. It restricts women from participating in fields where men feel they are superior.

Just let it flow. There's no need for any sort of quota whatsoever, and if women get more seats than men, then it simply means that the public trust women more than they do men.

I won't vote for women. I won't vote for men. I'll vote for someone who in my opinion is capable of being a good legislator regardless of the person's gender.

Richard, 23, is a medical student at a private university in Pluit, North Jakarta. He lives with his parents and sister in the same area:

To me, the 30 percent quota actually means nothing as it is set by the government merely to please some people.

A quota of 30, 40 or even 50 percent is just a figure. If women want to fight for their rights, then they'll have to fight for them for real instead of asking for a quota. If they're serious, they could start by doing something against domestic violence.

I'll vote for a candidate as long as that person is capable of being a good legislator, be it a man or a woman.

--The Jakarta Post