Health workers criticize Sutiyoso
Healthy people are more productive. The people who know most about people's health are doctors and nurses. They spend their time taking care of sick people. Members of these professions share with The Jakarta Post their opinion on Governor Sutiyoso's policy on health during his term of office, which will end in October.
Dr. Yenny Agustin, 30, was born in Malang, East Java, and moved to Jakarta 25 years ago. She now resides at the Lippo Karawaci housing estate in Tangerang.
I don't know Sutiyoso in person. I just know him from the television and newspapers. But, as far as I know, he has done nothing significant for the public. Worse still, I have never heard of policies of his that are beneficial for the public, especially in public health.
Most young doctors in the capital will still vividly recall that Sutiyoso entrusted them to assist, on a voluntary basis, flood victims during the recent flood which swamped Jakarta last January and February.
After almost a month of tiring work, the governor merely paid a tribute to the volunteers. It's really soul-destroying to know that not a single rupiah was paid to them, although many people are aware that billions of rupiah in funds were allocated for dealing with the flooding.
Besides, Sutiyoso's performance as governor has also been disappointing, specially in view of his failure to resolve the garbage issue.
The protracted debacle on the Bantar Gebang dumpsite in Bekasi was partly caused by the governor's unfulfilled promises to the locals.
I wouldn't object at all if the city council reelected him to another term. What's more important is whoever the next governor might be, he or she must improve the situation here.
Dr. Ade, 27, is a Jakarta-born doctor who lives in Jl. Kalipasir, Central Jakarta. He is also actively involved in the Volunteer Team for Humanity.
In fact, many good programs were set up by the city administration. However, most of them missed their target and were not implemented properly.
The fundamental problem lies with the corrupt administration. Many programs have turned into fiascos because corrupt people at the administration have abused them as cash cows.
If Sutiyoso wants to bring in real change in the capital, he must solve the most basic problem, which is the corrupt structure.
Rosari Siahaan, 26, was born in Jakarta. She is working in a private hospital in East Jakarta and now resides in Klender, East Jakarta.
Sutiyoso's performance has not been impressive. I have read some parts of his accountability speech from the newspapers and I found that many irregularities have occurred.
Many programs he carried out only resulted in people squandering money in the name of the public interest. His program to construct centers for combating drugs, for example, proved to be ineffective in combating the distribution of illegal drugs in the capital.
In addition, Sutiyoso promised much to the residents, but as you see, he did nothing to make it happen.
Please, don't reelect him to another term. Maybe other people can do better than he. -- JP