Pedicab and cart drivers rap with legislative councilors

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Many becak (pedicab) and andong (horse-drawn cart) drivers were seen mingling with lawyers, journalists, students and social activists yesterday in the first rap session held by the local legislative council.

The newly inducted members of the council held their first "morning coffee break" at the council building's Lobby Room where ordinary people were invited to speak their minds.

About 100 people attended yesterday's session. The meeting will be held monthly.

"After a long discussion, we finally decided that this 'morning coffee break' is the most suitable medium for the provincial council to absorb people's aspirations," said the head of the council, Subagio Wariadi, in his opening speech.

"This will also help members improve," he said.

The first session began with the topic "How to optimize the role and function of the legislative council".

"Anyone may attend future meetings, but they have to register first," Subagio said.

The meeting was lively yesterday. Participants enthusiastically and cheerfully shot out a barrage of questions, as well as suggestions, toward council members.

Some suggested, for instance, that the council establish an E- mail address or a hot line.

Chairman of Yogyakarta's Legal Aid Institute Budi Santoso, who took part in yesterday's session, praised the council for the forum.

"This is indeed a very positive idea. However, I am still doubtful as to how the council will follow up the various suggestions that have been raised in this session," he told The Jakarta Post.

Budi said the session would not mean anything unless the council convinced locals that it was taking their side and fighting for their interests rather than that of economically and politically powerful groups. "Then the sessions will be useless and ineffective."

Chief of the Yogyakarta and Kedu Military Resort Djoko Santoso shared Budi's view.

"It's through such a forum that the council can be tested if it can absorb people's aspirations, process them and fight for them," he said.

He pointed out that much would also depend on the local administrators before the council could represent the people optimally.

Subagio responded by saying that not all suggestions could be taken up, especially those which were nonsensical or impossible.

"What can the council do if local people ask us to revoke the Manpower Bill or make (Moslem scholar) Amien Rais president?" Subagio said. (swa)