'I don't think Sutiyoso a good guy'

Many Jakartans do not believe that Governor Sutiyoso, who will deliver his accountability speech to the City Council on Thursday, is up to the task of resolving some of the city's most pressing problems, including an inadequate and inefficient transportation system and poor public services. Many residents are urging the city councillors to reject the governor's accountability speech, which would prevent him from seeking another five-year term in office. But will the councillors heed these calls, or are they even concerned about holding Sutiyoso accountable for his performance?

Elan Jaelani, 34, a taxi driver from Bogor, West Jakarta. He has lived in Jakarta for 10 years.

"Sutiyoso's accountability speech? To tell you the truth, I don't care. I have too many other things to think about. I have to work hard to get enough money to feed my family every day, so Sutiyoso is absolutely none of my concern.

"I know Sutiyoso is the governor, but I don't think he is a good guy. If the councillors accept his accountability speech, it's their problem. But they better remember that they will be held accountable by God if they ignore the public's wishes."

Irwan, 40, a lecturer at a private university and a father of two. He lives in Bintaro, South Jakarta.

"It's strange that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has nominated Sutiyoso for a second term considering his (alleged) involvement in the attack on the party's headquarters in 1996. Probably, the party will accept his accountability speech.

"But the party's councillors should reject the accountability speech due to the bad performance of (Sutiyoso's) administration during his five-year term.

"Sutiyoso was unable to prove his commitment to eradicating corruption and collusion in his administration. Only low-ranking officials were ever punished, while high-ranking officials were freed in many corruption cases, such as Ancolgate.

"His administration failed to anticipate the big floods earlier this year, and its handling of this natural disaster proved its incapability. Much of the money for flood-relief programs was reportedly used inefficiently or even misused."

Ign. Budi Hartono, 31, a father of two who lives in Cawang, East Jakarta. The former civil servant now works as an accountant at a private company in Blok M, South Jakarta. He has lived in the capital for 10 years.

"The city councillors should reject Sutiyoso's accountability speech, which will not give a true picture of his performance.

"I can't see anything he has achieved while in office. Crime, unemployment, evictions and vendors causing public disorder are truer depictions of his poor performance.

"On the other hand, I don't see any other qualified candidates who could do a better job than Sutiyoso. I'm sure there are lots of good people who deserve the position, but they lack the access and the support.

"Both the governor and the city councillors are the wrong people in the wrong positions. The councillors are merely concerned with the interests of their own parties rather than the interests of the people.

"I hate to say it, but really the governor and the councillors should be removed from their positions if this city is to enjoy good governance."

Joko, 37, a vegetable vendor at the Palmerah market. The father of six comes from Sragen, Central Java. He lives near the market with his wife and youngest daughter.

"Sutiyoso? Sutiyoso is the governor, right? I don't know much about him.

"It is difficult to judge whether he has failed or succeeded in running the city. But, as someone who lives here, I don't think the city is a comfortable place to live.

"But I don't blame him for this failure, but rather the global economic slump.

"I do believe that whoever is elected (as governor) must help the poor. I wouldn't have any problems if Sutiyoso was reelected, despite all the inconveniences of the city.

"I am a vendor, and my only concern is how to run my business so I can support all of my children. The better life is here, the better the governor's performance. That's what I think."