'No progress seen in Jakarta'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The City Council approved last week Governor Sutiyoso's accountability speech, giving him a chance at a second five-year term as governor. The council approved, without involvement of the public, the governor's speech despite widespread criticism of his failure to handle various urban problems.
What do people say about the governor, whose term ends in October? The Jakarta Post presents this column to find out people's opinion of Sutiyoso, his policies and how they affect them.
Wicaksono Saroso, 42, holds a doctorate decree and works as an urban plan consultant with Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI). He has lived in Jakarta since 1984 and lives on Jl. Permata Puri in Cibubur, East Jakarta.
In general, I have not seen any improvement in Jakarta over the last five years, particularly for the urban poor, who need better living conditions.
Maybe my life is better than before but I don't think it is because of Sutiyoso's policies or actions.
Although, (former governor) Ali Sadikin is not my idol, I consider him the best governor so far. I am not impressed by his successors. Ali Sadikin had concrete vision in the development of Jakarta and its people. I do not see that vision in his successors, including Sutiyoso.
Andi Rahmah, 26, a university graduate working as a policy analyst with Pelangi consultant firm. She has lived in Jakarta since 1997 and lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.
I see that violence is spreading across the city, and Pak Sutiyoso should feel ashamed when seeing the poor people (targeted in public order raids) in Jakarta.
I also don't think Pak Sutiyoso has created a certain climate through his policies, which could improve people's welfare in the city. For many people in Jakarta, they work very hard for a living.
What I read from a book, Ali Sadikin could compromise with the poor. For example, becak (pedicab) drivers were given the opportunity to operate at night when public transportation did not operate.
Ahmad Safrudin, 33, a graduate of the economic school at the University of Indonesia, is chairman of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi)'s Jakarta chapter. He has been in Jakarta since 1990 and lives in Pulo Mas housing complex, in East Jakarta.
Phasing out leaded gasoline in Jakarta might be an achievement of Governor Sutiyoso, although the program was successful because of the support of various factors. I do not see any other achievements.
He made a controversial decision by allowing the development of a sports mall on land allocated for social and public facilities in Kelapa Gading, East Jakarta.
Many of his policies, including how he handled the recent floods, is controversially viewed from environmental aspects.
It is difficult to appraise Jakarta governors positively after Ali Sadikin.