'Sutiyoso, I'm not impressed at all'

There are probably lots of people operating under the assumption that fashion designers are not all that interested in politics and the bureaucracy. But just like most other people in the capital, designers have an opinion about Governor Sutiyoso, whose five-year term will end in October.

Oscar Lawalata, 25, a talented young designer who was born in Pekanbaru, Riau, but grew up in Jakarta.

My impression of Sutiyoso? I am not impressed at all. He did nothing memorable.

What I remember about him is his failure to prevent the (recent) floods and his handling of the victims. I was not one of the victims but I know they suffered. Some of my employees did not come to work because of the floods.

He also did nothing to help develop the fashion industry, like uniting fashion designers with the textile or garment industry.

Sebastian Gunawan, born in Jakarta 35 years ago, a prominent designer.

There is nothing special about Sutiyoso. I don't want to talk about politics. It's a sensitive issue.

I have been in the fashion world for nine years. I started my career before Sutiyoso became governor. I don't think that he has anything to do with it (my career).

What I can say is that there must be both positive and negative things about him. The most terrible thing was the May riots (in 1998). My neighbors' houses were burned and looted. Compared to that time, the situation is better now.

Traffic jams are getting worse and many roads are in poor condition ... especially after the floods.

There are many problems that should have been addressed more properly, such as urbanization and evictions. If the administration wants to evict people, there should be compensation for the victims and the evictions should be carried out according to proper procedures.

I don't care if Sutiyoso is reelected.

Poppy Darsono, 45, the former chairwoman of the Association of Indonesian Fashion Designers and Manufacturers, has lived in Jakarta since 1963.

Sutiyoso is my friend, but this does not necessarily mean that he should be reelected. The election should be held in accordance with all proper procedures.

Jakarta is such a big city with so many problems. Whoever the governor is, he has a tough job. It has become a mega-city, without proper infrastructure or human resources.

I think the most successful governor was Ali Sadikin. He paid attention to the people, including the transvestites. He built the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center and the Jakarta Design Center in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, even though the design center was later abandoned ....

Don't blame Sutiyoso for all of the problems we are facing, like flooding and the garbage. People throw garbage into the river .... We have to engage in some introspection. Look at ourselves. What have we done?

We have many intellectuals in the city, we should not just depend on the leader. It's the responsibility of all of us.

Anyway, the administration should be more transparent in the use of funds, for example by being more open in holding tenders for their projects. -- JP