'Save energy? I don't have an air conditioner'

The government has called on the public to take part in a nationwide drive to save energy, including reducing fuel consumption. The Jakarta Post talked to residents about what they could do at home to save energy.

Alex Yuniarto, 30, works as a consultant at a foreign company on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. He lives with his family in Cawang, East Jakarta.

My mother is busy reminding everyone to turn off all unnecessary lights. After 9 p.m. we only use some of the lights in the main rooms, leaving the kitchen and bathrooms in the dark.

We have also significantly reduced the use of cars for our day-to-day activities. We have six cars, one for each member of the family. But now we only use two of them. We get up much earlier so we can go to work together in one car. I go home by getting a ride with a friend or using public transportation.

I'm not only saving fuel but also money. When I drive my car to work, I spend at least Rp 100,000 to fill the gas tank. I used to use the car to get to work five days a week. But now I only spend Rp 5,000 a day for the bus, or Rp 25,000 a week. That's much cheaper.

Wahyudi, 32, works for a foreign non-governmental organization on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. He lives in Serpong, Tangerang.

To tell the truth, I am not doing anything special to save energy at home. This campaign seems to me to be irrelevant and naive. It fails to address the real problem, which is the government's poor policies.

I think the energy and fuel conservation campaign is only meaningful for the few people who are well-off. But for the majority of poor residents here who are already living with limited access to energy, the campaign has no meaning.

Tony W, 29, works as a math tutor. He rents a house in the densely populated area of Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

Save energy? What's to save? I don't have an air conditioner or washing machine. I use few lamps at home and get around by bus.

--The Jakarta Post