'I don't think Sutiyoso a good guy'

'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."