Students skeptical of MPR Annual Session

Students skeptical of MPR Annual Session

Annastashya Emmanuelle, Contributor, Jakarta

While many people are closely following the ongoing Annual
Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which began
on Aug. 1 and will end on Aug. 10, not everybody is enthusiastic
about the event. Some students are critical of the session. They
consider the event will not bring any significant results to the
country. Despite their skepticism, these students still consider
it important for political awareness to be encouraged at schools.
Here are some of their opinions, which they recently shared with
The Jakarta Post.

Kurniasih, 17, SMKN 2 state vocational school, Central Jakarta

I don't have any plans to follow the ongoing Annual Session
closely because I don't place much hope in it.

I'm actually quite interested in politics in general but the
development of the situation in Indonesia has somewhat
discouraged me from keeping a close tab on it.

I think political education in schools is very important to
enable students to learn to determine whether what the government
is doing is right or wrong.

Chandra Ernawan, 15, SMU 4 state high school, Central Jakarta

I really hope this Annual Session will pave the way for a new
beginning for Indonesia. So far, there haven't been any
significant developments.

I also think that political education in schools is very
important. At least we won't be fooled by the political parties
who always make promises but hardly ever keep to them.

Adinda Ursella, 16, SMU 4 state high school, Central Jakarta

Although I don't really have much hope in the ongoing Annual
Session, I suppose it is best to say that Indonesians, including
myself, hope the economic situation in Indonesia will soon
improve.

Frankly, I don't trust our politicians. They hardly ever do
anything good for the country, despite the fact they are the
people's representatives. They are supposed to support the
people's wishes. Unfortunately, they focus more on other things,
particularly their own interests.

Speaking of political education, I think it's important for
students so that we can make up our own minds and not just
blindly believe in the words of our politicians.

Angky Ranadiputra, 16, Gonzaga High School, South Jakarta

I don't think I will follow the Annual Session ... well,
unless my teacher assigns me to it. There's no point. It's just
like a vicious cycle, which in the end brings nothing.

There are so many political parties, but they have yet to
politically educate the people. Anyway, the political situation
remains the same as before the reform movement, although now they
use the word "reform" to distinguish themselves from the old
regime. In practice it's all the same.

James Dean, 16, Paskalis High School, North Jakarta

I'm not very interested in politics. Even with the ongoing
Annual Session, I don't devote much time to following the event.

I guess, like everyone else, I just hope Indonesia will have a
better future as a result of this session.

Rismania Veradiza, 17, SMU 8 State High School, South Jakarta

The political situation in our country is getting worse with
politicians fighting to keep their own positions.

All of these uncertainties, the fighting between political
parties as well as internal rifts only confuses the people. They
(the legislators and the government) should focus more on public
welfare.

I personally think Indonesia has a lot of potential. It's just
too bad that we can't rely on those people who are supposed to
manage the country.