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.