'Govt has done little to save energy'

'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