'Social contracts worth a try'

'Social contracts worth a try'

The non-governmental organization Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta)
recently asked several councillors to sign a social contract that
would bind them to live up to their election promise to work for
the interests of the public. Such contracts are just one of
several initiatives to try and force our representatives to honor
their campaign promises. The Jakarta Post talked to some
residents about the issue.

Sita Planasari, 25, is a journalist whose office is located in
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. She lives in Mayestik, also in
South Jakarta:

I think the idea is worth a try, although many people would
say it is useless to try and make the legislative candidates
deliver on their promises once they are elected.

Politicians make promises to lure voters, but they don't
really mean every word they say. With this kind of contract, I
hope we can teach them a lesson or two about not forgetting their
promises so easily.

Maybe Indonesia is heading toward a better future after all
with the presence of such social contracts.

Heru Christanto, 30, is a lecturer at a private university in
Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. He lives with his wife in Kelapa Dua,
West Jakarta:

I doubt the social contracts will work. We have seen our
representatives fool us with their wishful thinking and promises.
When they get in power, they forget them all.

Today, we have leaders who during the last election campaign
pledged to fight corruption. But, as you see, they have turned a
blind eye to rampant collusion, corruption and nepotism in our
government and legislature.

Recently, I asked my students whether they were proud to be
Indonesian given the mess in our country. Up to 80 percent of
them replied that they were ashamed to be Indonesian. I think
that simply reflects the depth of the crisis of confidence in our
leaders.

Anyway, I welcome any measure as the one taken by Fakta. That
will help remind our leaders of their forgotten promises. The
media will also play a very great role in this process.

--The Jakarta Post