'I'm looking forward to gaining real results'

'I'm looking forward to gaining real results'

Dozens of heads of state from Asia and Africa will begin a two-
day summit on Friday aimed at boosting relations among nations in
the two continents. How do Jakarta residents view the event? The
Jakarta Post asked for their comments on the summit.

Aditya, 26, is a program assistant at the Center for Electoral
Reform (Cetro). He lives with his wife in West Jakarta.

I still don't know what benefit Indonesia will get from
holding this summit. If it is just a ceremonial event or just to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bandung conference then
it is not worth the effort.

Considering that we have spent billions of rupiah on this
event, we had better take as much advantage as we can from it.

I hope the objective is not just to show the international
community that we are still capable of holding a grand event, but
also to gain economic and political benefit.

I really look forward to seeing the tangible results of the
summit for Indonesia.

Umar, 38, owns an education consulting company in Pasar
Minggu, South Jakarta. He lives with his wife in Pasar Rebo, East
Jakarta.

I am very proud that we can invite so many countries in Asia
and Africa to come to Jakarta. After so many years, we can now
hold such a big event. I hope it is a good start toward the
revival of our country.

Many of my friends question what benefit we will get from the
event. I still think we can make the most of the summit if we are
creative enough. We can strengthen our economic ties with
countries other than western countries and we can strengthen our
bargaining power on certain issues, such as the Ambalat dispute.
--The Jakarta Post