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

'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