'Please, come back down to Earth, Sutiyoso'

Amid strong public criticism, Governor Sutiyoso was reelected to hold the post of city governor for a second time. To win over the critics, Sutiyoso and newly elected vice governor, Fauzi Bowo, are planning to meet those who discredited the election, while supporters are erecting banners in public places to evoke people's sympathy. A number of people interviewed on the street shared their opinions and expectations with The Jakarta Post.

Adi, 24, is an employee of a private company who lives in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He moved here a year ago from Palembang, South Sumatra:

I am not interested in Sutiyoso's efforts to evoke public sympathy by placing banners in many places around the city. He is a heartless leader, who attracts public sympathy only when he's in need.

I wish he would come back down to Earth and understand the plight of the common people. He tends to side with a certain class of people instead of the less fortunate.

If he continues to evict vendors, he should immediately provide them with an alternative, such as giving them compensation or another place to conduct business.

He also needs to find a good solution for social problems, including street crime and environmental damage.

Otherwise, in the next two years, he should step down, or the people will rise up and forcibly evict him.

Awani, 51, has been an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver since 1995 and resides in Karet Pedurenan, South Jakarta, with his seven children and wife. He is from Pekalongan, Central Java:

I disagree wholeheartedly with Sutiyoso's reelection. But even if I disagree, what advantage is there for me? Nothing. He is the city governor and I am just an ojek driver. It doesn't change my situation, anyway.

However, if I could have one wish, it would be that he paid more attention to security in the city. The alarming rise in street crime has mercilessly claimed many lives, including ojek drivers like me.

After hearing these facts, what should he do to overcome the problem? He should become closer to low-income people to get social recognition.

Prayit, 28, is a cleaning service attendant in an apartment in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He comes from Yogyakarta where his only child and wife are living. He lives in Ciputat, South Jakarta:

I am still wondering how he could have won the election.

I hope that he focuses more on unemployment problems in the city.

Sutiyoso should have been able to create jobs for the needy to reduce the high unemployment rate in Jakarta. I am getting bored with the latest job I am doing just to help me get by.

Amir, not his real name, 21, is a security officer at an apartment building in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta. The native Jakartan lives in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, with his family:

I disagree with Sutiyoso's reelection simply because he performs his job poorly.

I understand that to err is human, but that does not mean we have to tolerate his mistakes as the governor for a second time.

Despite public opposition, I guess we will have to accept that he is the new governor now. I just wish that Sutiyoso would do what he says he will do. For instance, that unfinished case of the donations for flood victims.

The major target is to improve the social welfare of low- income families in the city by providing more jobs.

Let's see how he does in the next couple of months. If he doesn't improve the situation, we will protest against him and force him to step down.

--Leo Wahyudi S