'I don't expect much from the legislators'

'I don't expect much from the legislators'

The People's Consultative Assembly's Annual Session, which will
cost at least Rp 19 billion, begins on Aug. 1. A number of
important issues are to be discussed at the 10-day session, which
will see politicians jostling with each other. However, common
people do not seem to be aware of the event. Some share their
opinions with The Jakarta Post.

Bimanto, 34, an employee at a state-owned company on Jl. H.R.
Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. He lives in Pancoran with his wife
and two children:

Thank God my office is not located near the House of
Representatives/People Consultative's Assembly (DPR/MPR)
building. There will surely be many demonstrations during the
Annual Session, which will cause heavy traffic in the area.

Personally speaking, I don't care about the session. I don't
expect much from the legislators. Besides, it would be stupid to
expect them to make my life better.

I think all they can is spend state money. The session
requires a lot of money, including to pay for five-star hotel
accommodation for the legislators. They should not waste state
money for things like that. The government should use the money
for the people.

Lakiman, 25, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver living in
Tomang, West Jakarta. He comes from Baturetno, Central Java:

When will the Annual Session begin? Well, I'll grudgingly
support the People's Consultative Assembly agenda, but I cannot
deny that I feel apathetic toward the Assembly. The sessions have
always failed to voice the people's aspirations.

It would be better for the legislators and the government to
find the best solution to the country's problems. Otherwise, the
country could be destroyed.

So, the only choices left for the honorable members of the
Assembly is to find a solution or have the country face
devastation.

I'm sick of the uncertainty in the country.

Idrus Toto,40, a taxi driver in Jakarta who lives in
Cileungsi, Bogor, West Java:

The MPR Annual Session? I don't want to talk about politics.
Too many people talk about it. I don't know much about the MPR
session as I no longer read newspapers. I am bored with newspaper
reports about politicians because they always blame each other.

I can say that the most important thing for a leader is that
he or she should be strongly committed to the people's welfare.
But it is difficult to find such a leader now.

The MPR session is held every year, but if our leaders lack
the commitment, our hope for a better future will remain just a
dream.

Alfiyadin, 24, a Lampung-born tire repair man operating in
front of the Jakarta Convention Center in South Jakarta. He
resides in Bendungan Hilir in South Jakarta with his wife and
son.

I know that the Annual Session will be held early next month
from local papers, but I don't know what topics will be discussed
in the meeting.

I don't really care about the meeting as for me the most
important thing is to earn money every day for my family.

Besides, judging from past experience, the meeting won't bring
significant change to people's lives. That's why I'm not
interested in it.