'Sutiyoso has no sense of crisis'

Governor Sutiyoso delivered his accountability speech on Thursday, to explain his performance while in office. And the governor does have some explaining to do, with many Jakartans disappointed and angry over what they see as a lack of action and progress over the past five years of Sutiyoso's leadership. High on the list of complaints for residents of the capital are a public transportation system that barely seems to function, increasing crime rates and a lack of public order.

Sudarmo, 37, an employee who works near the City Council building on Jl. Kebun Sirih. He lives in Senen, Central Jakarta.

"Sutiyoso's performance has prompted numerous demonstrations. I've been working here for more than 10 years and there were never as many demonstrations against previous governors.

I think he has failed to do his job well because he has no sense of crisis. He just does whatever he wants to do, without asking the people. Perhaps it has to do with his military background.

No wonder people are rejecting him. I don't think I support him. I use public transportation, which is getting worse every day, and at the same time I don't feel safe because of the rise in crime.

These are only small examples. The demonstrators are just trying to express what they see and what they feel about the current situation. Hopefully the councillors will listen to them."

Ringo, an activist for the Urban Poor Consortium, a vocal critic of Sutiyoso. He lives in East Jakarta.

"The City Council must reject Sutiyoso. We all know how bad his performance has been over the past five years. His policies are unpopular, not only with the poor but also with other residents here.

He is notorious among the poor because of the weapon he wields against them: eviction. He has never shown his willingness to accommodate the poor in the city.

Poverty is a reality here. But he prefers to spend billions of rupiah to decorate the city rather than to improve the lives of the poor.

His successor must be more compassionate, someone who is willing to improve the city, including the public services for the poor."

Therese S., 21, a student at a university located near the City Council. She lives in Setiabudi, Central Jakarta.

"Sutiyoso is controversial. Demonstrations against him, therefore, are common here. But I think he deserves this because he is sometimes reluctant to listen to the people.

Do you know that he is currently having fun with Miss Universe? I heard it from an administration official at a food stall just now. Ha ha ha, he is a real controversial guy.

Well, I am sure he prefers to spend his time with her rather than listen to demonstrators. Maybe that's why most people say he has failed in his job.

I personally think he must be replaced by a better leader. We have several candidates, so why don't we give them a chance?"

Yuni, 36, a housewife and mother of one. She lives in West Jakarta.

"I don't know why so many councillors, especially from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), have chosen Sutiyoso as their gubernatorial candidate despite strong public opposition.

It is unbelievable to me, a common person, that the (PDI Perjuangan) councillors support Sutiyoso, who is believed to have been involved in the attack on their party's headquarters in 1996.

They should use that fact to reject the governor's accountability speech, besides the poor performance of his administration."

Daud, 38, a street vendor who sells bicycles in Jatinegara, East Jakarta. He moved to Jakarta from Ciamis, West Java, six years ago and now lives in Prumpung Sawah, East Jakarta with his three children and wife.

"During his tenure, Sutiyoso has never, ever let vendors run their business comfortably. Never! Eviction and raids are the facts we have to face every day.

It is obvious that he is not the kind of leader who pays serious attention to poor people. He is the kind of governor who always tries to persecute and oppress the lower class like us.

Actually, we're just poor people and we have no interest in fighting against the government. But we are forced to, so we're fighting ... for nothing but our daily meals.

If he is reelected, poor people will probably fight against him. I'm sure he'll fail to maintain security in the city and the protests against him will then increase.

I guess mounting protests against him will inevitably worsen the overall security situation here."