'The council's anti-graft campaign is just talk'

The strong showings of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Democratic Party in the April 5 legislative election looked to many people like a changing of the political guard. However, it appeared to be business as usual in the recent City Council speakership election, where PKS candidate Ahmad Heryawan lost to Golkar Party candidate Ade Surapriatna. The Jakarta Post spoke with several residents about their expectations for the new councillors.

Luki, 26, is an employee at a Japanese fast-food restaurant in Ciracas, East Jakarta. He lives in Kranji, Bekasi:

I am really upset with our councillors, particularly when I heard that money politics might have been involved in the election. Haven't they learned that buying votes and corruption violate the people's hopes for a clean and fair election.

They promised us in the legislative election that they would fight corruption, collusion and nepotism. It was just talk, though. The direct election did no good at all.

Sajili, 52, is a taxi driver. He lives with his family in Depok:

I read in the newspaper that most councillors don't have any political experience. Given that, I doubt they have the ability to alleviate poverty in Jakarta or to pass regulations to protect us from abusive policies set by the administration.

I think the first thing they do upon becoming councillors is to get back the money they spent during the campaign. If this is true, then corruption is unavoidable. The speakership election is a good example of vote buying.

I want honest councillors who have the guts to fight corruption and are willing to work for the people they represent, not their political parties.

--The Jakarta Post