'How can we monitor councillors?'

'How can we monitor councillors?'

Four Jakarta councillors have bowed to the demands of some city
residents and signed a social contract in which they promise to
eradicate corruption in the administration and to work only for
the interests of the public. The Jakarta Post talked to some
residents about whether they believed a legally binding contract
could force representatives to honor their campaign promises.

Donna Bachri, 27, works in a private company located in Jl.
Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives with her parents in
Pejompongan, Central Jakarta:

I support the idea of making a 'social contract' with the
legislators or those who run in the legislative elections. It
represents a real relationship between residents and their
representatives.

However, not all people are aware of these contracts. This
event should be widely publicized so everybody will know that
some councillors are on the people's side and are ready to face
legal proceedings should they fail to deliver what they have
promised.

But, I wonder what will happen next. Will we really see those
(errant) councillors face trial?

Indira, 29, is a freelance translator. She lives in Serpong,
Tangerang:

It's a brilliant idea to ensure legislators or political
parties don't just make empty promises to get votes. It gives
voters a bargaining chip.

However, there are still doubts about how effective this
social contract would be to legally bind politicians. How can we
monitor them to make sure they're not receiving bribes or check
they've worked against bribery.

Even if we found evidence they had broken their promises, do
we really have the legal ability to bring them to court? Because,
as you know, we cannot rely on the judiciary in this country.

--The Jakarta Post