'Subdistrict heads don't deserve new cars'

'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