'Sutiyoso is the wrong person to lead the city'

'Sutiyoso is the wrong person to lead the city'

Sutiyoso and Fauzi Bowo were inaugurated on Monday as Jakarta
governor and deputy governor, respectively. Many people, however,
told The Jakarta Post they were disappointed with the pair's
election and were skeptical they would be able to lead the city.

Jimmy, 36, a street musician since 1986. He lives in Cibubur,
East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter. He is originally from
Manado, North Sulawesi:

Sutiyoso won the election because of (President) Megawati
Soekarnoputri's support. Maybe Megawati thinks he is the right
person to lead the city.

But according to the majority of the low-income people,
Sutiyoso is the wrong person because he never sides with the
poor.

Unfortunately, it is hard for ordinary people to fight
Governor Sutiyoso and his deputy, Fauzi Bowo. Perhaps people
should join forces to form another board of councillors elected
by the poor, to compete with the city councillors. People will
give their sympathy to the council that is not ruled by
corruption and bribery.

Mass rallies to protest Sutiyoso are useless because the voice
of the people come to nothing. I think it's better for the people
to (physically) attack them (councillors) and see who wins the
war.

Sounds ridiculous, right? But it's better than seeing the city
ruined by corrupt officials.

Taufik, 25, a candy vendor near the Indonesian Christian
University (UKI) campus in East Jakarta. He resides in Kali
Malang, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter. He moved from
Cirebon 10 years ago:

I'm sure Jakarta will not get any better under the leadership
of Governor Sutiyoso and his deputy Fauzi Bowo.

I can say this because I lived on the street for years and I
saw how tough life is on the streets. There are lots more
hoodlums operating on public buses now. Unemployment in the city
has increased sharply and day-to-day life has gotten harder.

Most vendors and hawkers, who are fighting just to survive,
have to live in fear of eviction by city public order officers
every day. We have to bribe them with "security" fees, but that
does not make conditions any better. We are still subject to
forced eviction.

The city governor and his deputy only think of their vested
interests, putting aside the public interest. What use are they
if their leadership does not improve the welfare of Jakartans?

Joni, not his real name, 40, a multilevel marketer. He lives
in Klender, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

These kind of city leaders should step down! They have poor
track records filled with irregularities and poor performances.

In addition, their leadership is questionable following
allegations that city councillors engaged in money politics. I
think they are not morally fit to govern the city.

I'm not sure that Sutiyoso and his partner Fauzi can manage
the city for a second term. If they can't resolve simple matters,
how can they hope to cope with more complex problems in the
metropolitan?

Maybe it's time for ordinary people like us to consider a
social revolution, since all the reforms have so far failed to
improve things.

-- Leo Wahyudi S