'Govt has done little to save energy'

The government has appealed to the public to save energy in order to reduce fuel consumption, which is heavily subsidized in the country. But, does the government practice what it preaches? The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here to get their views on the issue.

Leonard T. Samosir, 29, is an anchorman for a private television station.

I have not seen the government itself make any significant changes to conserve energy. Its campaign has only affected the lowest level of the bureaucracy.

The government shows inconsistencies in carrying out what it tells the people to do.

Take the President, for instance, if he wants to save fuel he might as well stay put at the palace instead of shuttling between the city and his private house in Cikeas, Bogor. That would save energy and set a good example in conserving energy by minimizing car travel.

It is really important that government institutions are more active in the drive. Because I think that the private sector has already done so (saved energy) for the sake of competitiveness in business.

Haryono, 35, is a resident of Pamulang, Tangerang who works in the information technology field.

I think the government has been quite consistent in its call to conserve energy. My friend who works at a government institution says that, by 4 p.m., all the computers in his office are turned off -- and the lights.

Let us just hope that this won't provide an excuse for civil servants to go home early and not do their jobs properly.

If the campaign was more comprehensive it would teach us all a lesson: not to take things, like electricity, for granted.

--The Jakarta Post