'Megawati's support for Sutiyoso ridiculous'

The upcoming gubernatorial election is looming. Several candidates have been named. President Megawati Soekarnoputri has ordered her PDIP councillors to support Sutiyoso, who will run for his second term, despite widespread public criticism. What do people think about it?

Dian Widyanarti, is a private company employee who lives in East Jakarta. She used to work as a liaison officer for foreign non-governmental organizations.

"I think it's quite a weird partnership, noting the fact that President Megawati Soekarnoputri backs governor Sutiyoso to be re-elected in the upcoming gubernatorial race.

"If I were Mega, I would never ever support the person who had badly hurt me. Sutiyoso was allegedly deemed responsible for the July 27 tragedy that caused many deaths and injuries. Mega is inconsistent.

"Megawati's reason to support him to maintain security in the city is unjustifiable noting the fact that Sutiyoso fails to curb street crime and many other unlawful acts in the capital. Mega was just exaggerating Sutiyoso's credibility on security matters.

"I'm afraid Mega's support means that she promotes insecure living in the city. It's nonsense notion of the state woman! But, who knows?"

Ratrini Idris, 26, an employee of a public accountant office on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She moved here from Surabaya, East Java four years ago.

"I follow the gubernatorial election process in the newspapers. I personally think Megawati's order to PDIP councillors to support Sutiyoso is the most ridiculous one imaginable.

"I don't understand why she said that Sutiyoso's background in the military is beneficial to the upcoming general session. It's nonsense. I alleged that it happened due to her personal relations with Sutiyoso. Otherwise, how come she rejects her supporters' aspirations not to support him?

"Perhaps it related to the fact that Sutiyoso had protected her family-owned gas stations on green belts from eviction in the city. The press have also alleged that Sutiyoso's nomination has something do with his financial support for PDIP. Those allegations might be true as Megawati is reluctant to explain it to public clearly."

A. Siregar, 45, a clerk at the Central Jakarta District Court. He has been living here for 17 years.

"Megawati supports Sutiyoso? I don't really pay attention to it as I have a limited knowledge on politics. I think he does not deserve it. Wasn't he involved in the July 27th tragedy several years ago?

"Anyway, Megawati's reasoning to support him is understandable for one point as Sutiyoso is in the military. It probably has something to do with security for the upcoming election. But, I don't think a governor's job is only to take care of the security here. We've got the police here. It's their job to maintain security."