'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