'I don't feel independent in this country'

Everyone wants to be independent. But while the country celebrates Independence Day on Aug. 17, some people still feel unliberated from the heavy burdens of life. They shared their dreams with The Jakarta Post.

Tiar, a mother of three, works as a park sweeper at the University of Indonesia. She lives in Bojonggede, Depok, West Java. Her husband, who used to be a private bank employee in Jakarta, was recently laid off:

Independence Day is sentimental to me, because I take the time to think back to the founding heroes of this country.

But if I reflect deeper, I have never felt independent to be honest. I am still a sweeper and have not progressed much in life.

I have a dream that the country's leaders are willing to improve the standard of living for poor people like me.

As a matter of fact, I have many dreams, but would it be possible for them to come true for a woman like me? I wonder.

I hope that the basic needs for living here become affordable at much lower prices.

Yudha, 19, has been working as a cleaning service attendant at the rectorial building of the University of Indonesia for a couple of months. He lives in Depok, West Java:

I don't think I live in an independent country. I have never felt freedom here, so Independence Day doesn't hold any special significance for me.

I always wonder at the irony of living in an independent country, but having to fight hard to make a living, and not even a decent living. Let's just say for survival.

I think Independence Day would be more meaningful if the standard of living continued to improve.

My dream is that everyone will be able to find a job more easily and the cost of living will be cheaper and more affordable, even for low income people. But when will my dreams come true?

Christina Sudarwati, 34, is a junior and senior high school teacher at Sekolah Global Jaya in Bintaro, Tangerang. She has been teaching since 1992 when she moved to Jakarta from her hometown of Klaten, Central Jakarta. She now resides with her son in Serpong:

We will hold a flag-hoisting ceremony and several games in celebration of Independence Day at school.

But personally I don't feel that we are celebrating our Independence Day. How can we feel independent if we always live in fear of crime wherever we go?

Generally, I think politicians and country leaders have spoiled the meaning of independence through their wrongdoings and selfishness.

Perhaps it would be better to let a foreign country colonialize this country to make everyone here more disciplined and smart. People say we live in an independent country, but, in fact, we live without freedom in many ways.

I just hope that every person appreciates the meaning of freedom in order to build mutual trust and respect. Then Independence Day would be more meaningful for us.

Ali, 24, is a student majoring in physics at the University of Indonesia (UI). He comes from Banten, West Java:

Independence Day has a little meaning left in it, and that is to remind us of past heroic struggles.

Unfortunately, the current government is similar to the past imperialists, which oppressed the country for centuries. The fact is our government frequently ignores the public's interests and the poor people in this country.

I agree that the country is sovereign, but it still fails to respect people's rights. In that case, the country has not yet gained its independence.

If our country wants a real taste of freedom, education should be at the forefront of continuous development. That's what I dream of at the moment.

-- Leo Wahyudi S