'I don't really care who leads the city'
Governor Sutiyoso and Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo have been inaugurated and have begun serving their five-year terms, but many residents told The Jakarta Post that they just don't care.
Mira, 37, a textile shop worker in Mayestik market, South Jakarta. She comes from Surabaya, East Java, and now lives in Ciledug, South Jakarta, with her four children and husband:
I have heard people talking about, what's his name, Sutiyoso. To tell you the truth, I'm apathetic about who governs the city.
I don't really know anything about him, so can you tell me the truth about Sutiyoso and who he is?
I mean, it doesn't really matter anyway. In my experience, Jakarta is always unsafe, no matter who the governor is.
Besides, do you think that poor people like me can do anything to make the city better, to turn it around? And do you think the governor can do anything? I don't think so.
Basically, I'm of the opinion that the best and safest thing to do is to just go about my work so I can survive.
Anto, 24, a former security guard at Plaza Senayan, he now works as a sidewalk vendor selling magazines and newspapers. He lives in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta:
What am I, an ordinary person, supposed to do about the reelection of Governor Sutiyoso? It wouldn't make sense to try to oppose him because that wouldn't benefit me. I'll just stay impartial.
He was reelected because the corrupt city councillors chose him. The wishes of the people were ignored.
He won the election because of the invisible, powerful support given to him by middle-class people with lucrative businesses. So Sutiyoso's reelection was only supported by a small percentage of the middle class who had a personal interest in seeing him serve a second term. .
I think the protesters who rallied in support or opposition to him were paid to do so. It's no longer support or opposition that brings people out, it's only money that can move them.
It's better for me to concentrate on how to earn enough money to survive. That's more realistic, isn't it?
Mamat, 50, a chauffeur for 12 years. The native Jakartan lives in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, with his wife and two children:
In my opinion, anyone who volunteers for a leadership position is motivated by selfish reasons. So their promises to side with the people are rubbish. This includes Governor Sutiyoso.
I don't think he will do anything to help the city's residents during his second term.
That's why I don't care about what's going on in the city. I'm fed up with all the disgusting political conspiracies among high- ranking officials.
They are all greedy leaders. Their main concerns are being able to afford expensive cars, sending their children abroad to study and above all securing their positions.
What I have to do is just work patiently and honestly so me and my family can survive.
Hoping for good governance and credible leaders is a waste of time these days.
Jack, 35, sells gado-gado along Jl. Dharmawangsa, South Jakarta. The father of two comes from Lampung:
Sutiyoso was just so eager to be reelected, despite his poor performance during his first term.
He should have stepped down in response to the massive opposition from city residents.
I cannot imagine what will happen to the city in the future.
As a poor man, I'm of the opinion that there is no need for people to hold rallies to protest against Sutiyoso. We're the ones who will suffer the consequences because the rallies will come to nothing. It's all in vain.
Let's just see how things shape up under his leadership. That's the most practical thing we can do now.
-- Leo Wahyudi S