'Subdistrict heads don't deserve new cars'

The city administration has planned to provide every subdistrict head in Jakarta with a new Kijang van to help them carry out their jobs. The administration said that each of the 267 subdistrict heads should be receiving their vehicles -- costing between Rp 110 million and Rp 170 million each -- from July to August this year. The Jakarta Post talked to a number of residents on the issue.

Marzuki, 38, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta with his wife and two children:

I object to the governor's idea to give brand new Kijang cars to the subdistrict administration heads in Jakarta.

Those heads are already well-off so what's the use of giving them new cars for no reason? They will just use them for their own interests rather than for serving the public.

I bet the vehicles cost a lot. That money comes from the taxpayers. Since the money in the city government is the public's money, it should be used to help people, not just individuals. The idea that the people's money is to be spent on subdistrict heads is totally wrong.

In this case, I'm sure Sutiyoso's plan is just for his own benefit. He will distribute the cars to the chiefs in an attempt to gain more loyal supporters.

I think Governor Sutiyoso is manipulating his vested interest by saying he is handing out cars, because subdistrict heads are able to get supporters at the grassroots level. That's his main objective.

I think that a large amount of the budget should be allocated to buy cars for every subdistrict in case there is an emergency, for instance, if somebody needs to go to the hospital, or for other public interests. The city could also distribute the funds among those falling within the low income bracket to help them get health care.

Sutiyoso should think seriously about how he could improve the waterways in the city in order to minimize the annual problem of flooding. That would help him win over more voters than giving out cars to only subdistrict heads.

Sukiman, 20, is a house servant in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta. He is single and lives in the area:

I think all the subdistrict administration heads in Jakarta do not deserve to get these vehicles from the city governor.

I don't think the performances of these subdistrict heads measure up to public expectation. The heads never side with the public because they only think about themselves rather than the people.

How can the subdistrict heads earn public sympathy or respect if they are always taking aid meant for the socially disadvantaged? I also wonder why we can't make them accountable for not delivering humanitarian aid or staple food items from the government.

I think the city government should take the funds allocated for purchasing the vehicles and use them to stop the spread of that contagious virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). That's much more important.

Karna Jaya, 31, is a street musician who lives in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, with his family. He is still single:

The city government has lots of money. Unfortunately, the money is being managed by the wrong people.

After hearing about the plan, it became quite apparent to me that it was irrational and ineffective. The plan is not relevant at all. The tasks of a subdistrict head are not that demanding that they need to have a car. They could use a motorcycle if they have to carry out important duties.

I'm sure that most of the subdistrict administration chiefs are wealthy. Unfortunately, they have failed to perform their jobs well because they get their money illegally from residents. Residents should have a free administration. I don't think they have a right to get these free vans.

Why can't Sutiyoso open his eyes and see the slums teeming with people who don't have any money behind the luxurious skyscrapers?

The governor could have used that money to help those who get a low income to relocate to low-rent housing or help feed the homeless throughout Jakarta. Sutiyoso should realize that all social facilities in the city and the public transportation are in a poor state. These facilities are in desperate need of funding.

I would completely agree if that money from the budget was used for scholarships for socially disadvantaged children or for improving the education system in general. That would make much better sense. Leo Wahyudi S