'Greedy officials ignore the poor'

Governor Sutiyoso's idea to plate the Arjuna Wijaya statue in bronze, along with his plans to beautify the city -- by placing statues of heroes on streets named after them -- have incited various responses. Most people are incredulous that the project will cost Rp 4 billion (US$470,588). The Jakarta Post talks with them.

Suleman, 40, is a newspaper boy on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta. He lives in Kota Bambu, West Jakarta, with his wife and three children:

I read about the statue a few days ago in the newspaper. I also read about the plan to erect more statues.

I can't see the importance of these projects. What's the purpose? We already have the National Monument (Monas).

It's really insulting that this will cost billions of rupiah. It's just a chance for officials to cheat. But we can't do anything even if we are against the project ...

The administration should open their eyes to the miserable lives of the poor. It's hard for me to earn money -- even thousands of rupiah a day.

Avi, not her real name, 29, works at a private company in South Jakarta. She lives in Cakung, East Jakarta, with her family:

I can't find the words to comment on the administration's plans.

Although the project will have a sponsor, such a project is susceptible to irregularities, moreover it will cost billions of rupiah.

I believe the officials -- both from the administration and the City Council -- are looking after their own interests.

They are greedy and ignore the fate of the poor.

I am afraid to say, I wish the terrorists had targeted the selfish councillors and officials, instead of common people. I'm sick of them.

Sukir, 60, is a street food vendor in Monas Park, Central Jakarta. He lives in Pancoran, South Jakarta, with his wife and five children:

I can't believe that the administration will spend so much money on one statue. Its claim -- to side with the poor -- is rubbish!

The governor and other officials are b---ards. They want to kill poor people, while they let corruptors steal money without penalty.

What's the benefit of funding statues? We don't need that at all!

If only the officials had brains. They could have empowered street vendors in the city, or relocated them to avoid eviction by the Public Order Office.

The money could have provided soft loans to small-scale businesspeople.

Those ideas are meaningful to the poor. If implemented they would help us survive.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.