People regret Megawati's support for Sutiyoso
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to throw her weight behind the incumbent, Sutiyoso, in September's gubernatorial election has raised many eyebrows. A number of people share their opinion on the whole matter with The Jakarta Post.
Karya Er Sada, 30, an activist with the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment.
"Sutiyoso's nomination by PDI Perjuangan confirms that the party and its chairwoman, Megawati, are close to the military.
"I really regret that Megawati has so easily forgotten the brutal actions of the military against her loyal followers when she was still an opposition figure during former president Soeharto's reign.
"I think this will have great political consequences because Megawati and PDI Perjuangan will be abandoned by the grassroots, which used to be the party's main support.
"It may be true that nominating Sutiyoso for reelection will help ensure security in the capital for the 2004 general election, but the political cost for Megawati and her party will be more than anything she will gain from the nomination."
Helmy Sungkar, is an observer and organizer for the auto industry, and lives on Jl. Kesehatan, Bintaro, South Jakarta.
"I think it was difficult for Ibu Megawati to make her decision, but if there are other candidates besides Pak Sutiyoso they must also be well acquainted with Jakarta. They must understand the administration, so therefore they must be career people. The candidacy of the incumbent West Nusa Tenggara governor, Pak Harun Alrasyid, will be good.
"But there are too many candidates. Many of them do not meet the requirements for a governor of a big city like Jakarta. But I hope we will get the best person who is capable of leading Jakarta into the future."
Anung Diptohapsoro, 43, has spent the last 17 years working at the House of Representatives' Secretariat.
"I find the whole relationship between Megawati and Sutiyoso really bewildering. There are too many unanswerable questions.
"How could Megawati support Sutiyoso as the next governor when he hurt Megawati's party in the July 27 incident, which remains unsolved?
"As an ordinary person, I am fed up with the maneuvering of our top politicians and their unpredictable tricks. I am sick of it.
"Personally, the unsympathetic nature of Sutiyoso has turned me off of any issues having to do with him. His programs never succeed, except for the renovation of the fountain at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. This is also true of Megawati, who never announces any distinct plans of action."
Lisa N.R., 26, an account executive at a media company in South Jakarta. She has lived in the city since 1992.
"It is unbelievable that Megawati supports Sutiyoso for a second term. I can't even understand her reasoning, that she supports him because he has a military background that will be beneficial in maintaining security in the capital during the upcoming election.
"I don't think maintaining security is the job of the governor. The police is the institution responsible for maintaining public security. A governor manages other things, such as improving public services or improving the welfare of residents.
"Besides, picking a governor from the military is ridiculous. Indonesia is a civilian state, isn't it? Our past experience showed that the military must not be involved in the government, but should just see to managing the country's security." --JP