`I'm really pessimistic and expecting nothing'

`I'm really pessimistic and expecting nothing'

The city council is continuing its meeting to discuss the 2003
city budget, totaling Rp 11.05 trillion. If the budget proposal
is approved, each councillor will get a monthly income of about
Rp 90 million. In response, The Jakarta Post talked with some
city residents on the budget meeting being held at City Hall.

Gloria, 26, lives with her family in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.
She works for a private company in Central Jakarta:

I'm not interested in making any comments on the city
councillors or the governor. They are all dishonest, as far as
I'm concerned.

They act like little emperors and enjoy living off the money
meant for the poor. Their comfortable lives have made them forget
their supporters, including low income city residents who have
contributed a lot to their finances through taxes.

I don't think they represent the people. I wonder who or what
they actually represent. They're greedy for people's money, I
guess.

The 2003 budget meeting they are currently holding will be
meaningless as long as it is not being publicly monitored for
transparency. The meeting will result in nothing being done for
the poor. It is just another way to make themselves richer. No
wonder so many people fight for a chance to become a councillor:
They want to enjoy endless wealth without siding with the public.

I'm tired of thinking about the councillors. I'm really
pessimistic and am expecting nothing to come out of this meeting
that will prioritize the less fortunate in the city.

Dwi Wahyu P., 26, is an employee at a publishing company in
Ciracas, East Jakarta. He lives in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, West
Java:

I don't agree with the 2003 budget meeting held by the city
councillors as it will be to no avail.

The budget lacks proper allocations for public facilities,
such as traditional markets, garbage dumps or city parks. The
city budget will certainly fall short of addressing the poverty
issue.

The budget allocation does not make any sense as each
councillor will receive an outrageous sum of money each month. I
wonder why they cannot be responsible enough to help those who
earn a low income.

I'm pessimistic that they will side with the public because
they are insensitive and not responsive to people's urgent needs.

I still hope that the executives and the legislators will
tighten their belts in a sign of support with the less fortunate.

Eki, 28, lives with his only son and wife in Srengseng, West
Jakarta. He works for a nearby firm:

The allocation of the 2003 city budget only favors the city
councillors and the governor. I think that it is unrealistic.

The budget fund has been wasted on councillors. How can one
city councillor get Rp 90 million every month? Not to mention the
governor's monthly salary and his fantastic allowances.

It is impossible to compare the salaries of those who earn a
low income, like me, with the salaries of representatives. I have
to work for more than eight years to get the same amount as what
a city councillor earns in one month.

A councillor, who should be representing the public's
interests, can buy a fancy car during his term. Unfortunately,
they just think of themselves instead of the people's interests.

I don't see any reason why the councillors should hold a
budget meeting. What is it for? I have no hope that anything
positive will come out of the meeting, because as usual, it's the
poor who are always the ones to suffer economic hardships.

-- Leo Wahyudi