'The government makes us suffer'

'The government makes us suffer'

The recent government decision to increase fuel prices,
electricity and telephone rates has been roundly criticized by
the public. A number of Jakartans expressed their anger to The
Jakarta Post.

Widyanarti, 32, is a housewife who lives with her husband and
daughter in Kayu Jati, East Jakarta:

As poor people, we are hardly able to afford the exorbitant
prices of staple foods. I'm afraid that this situation will
trigger massive violence by the people. Just wait and see!

Actually, I'm not willing to give any comment on this since it
will be useless. Public protests will not be effective enough to
force the government to think of the people.

I think that a "people power" movement would be able to
advance the public's interests. If necessary, all components of
society, including educated people and middle-class people who
have the same concerns, should join the movement.

I think the Soeharto regime was much more favorable to the
people's welfare than Megawati's administration.

On the other hand, I'm of the opinion that some articles in
the Constitution, particularly Article 34 (which says the state
has the obligation to take care of the poor and orphans), should
be deleted. It's just bulls**t!

Hartono, drives a bajaj in Pulogadung, East Jakarta. He lives
with friends in Tanah Mas, East Jakarta. His wife and son live in
Central Java:

The frequent fuel price increases are not surprising because
we have become accustomed to it. But when all of the prices are
all of sudden increased at the same time like now, that shocks
me.

I will have to be more careful about managing my expenses
since my income is more or less the same as last year. I get Rp
40,000 a day.

I will have to anticipate a rise in my house rent from Rp
80,000 a month. And I will have to be careful about what I eat so
I can save some money by cutting down on the Rp 15,000 a day I
now spend on food.

I don't think the government or high-ranking are reliable or
credible. I don't believe them at all.

It would be useless to force Megawati to step down because the
next president would likely be unable to deal with poverty.

So I guess it would be better to let her serve out her term
until 2004. Despite the miserable conditions, we have to accept
the situation and wait for an elected leader who will side with
the poor.

Ndarti, is a nurse who owns a maternity clinic in Kemayoran,
Central Jakarta:

I feel that the price increases will have a significant impact
on my family.

There are 10 people living in my house and I spend some Rp
600,000 for electricity and the telephone every month.

For staple foods, I have to allocate about Rp 50,000 a day for
our large family.

I don't know how we will survive this year if I have to pay
more. Perhaps I will have to find a way to be more thrifty in
managing our expenses.

I have told my husband not to use the car every day to save on
gas. Still I'm confused about how to cope with the situation.

I wonder what the government wants from the poor.
Unfortunately, I don't have the guts to protest, and it would be
in vain anyway. We need unity to protest and make the government
reverse the policy.

Dedi, 39, is a vendor who has been selling fried snacks on Jl.
Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta for 20 years. His wife and three
children live in Majalengka, West Java:

How much more will I have to fork out to run my business? I
usually spend about Rp 150,000 to buy the items I need and I only
take home between Rp 20,000 and Rp 35,000 a day. With price
increases in cooking oil, kerosene and flour, I don't think I
will earn all that much anymore.

It's true that the government always victimizes low-income
earners. They never side with us. The country's budget deficit is
due to corrupt officials and tycoons, but why do innocent people
have to suffer the most?

I'm angry with the government, but what can I do? The leaders
and high-ranking officials of this country do not pay any heed to
what the poor have to say.

There's no other option but to accept this way of life. Poor
people mean nothing to the rest of society!

-- Leo Wahyudi S