The nation's massive debt and budget deficit has forced the

The nation's massive debt and budget deficit has forced the
government to impose price increases this year in an effort to
lift the country out of its economic slump. People are angry with
the decision and some have blamed the government for failing to
recover the money that was misappropriated by tycoons.
Some of them spoke to The Jakarta Post about the issue.

Lubis, 45, has been a sidewalk vendor selling coconuts at
Pulomas, East Jakarta, for more than five years. His wife and
daughter live in Brebes, Central Java:

I don't know what to say about the price increases this New
Year.

Business will turn sluggish because I will have to raise the
price from Rp 2,500 a coconut. It is unavoidable because the cost
to bring my goods here will go up.

Worse, there will be less buyers because people's purchasing
power will soon drop. I think my daily earnings, which range
between Rp 20,000 and Rp 35,000, will also drop as a result.

I don't know how to get more income. At the moment, I have to
spend about Rp 15,000 on simple daily meals. How can I save up
money for my family back home? I usually take home Rp 200,000 a
month for my wife.

I swear it's getting harder to survive in the city. It would
be better if President Megawati stepped down as she is not
capable of governing this country. I don't think a woman is able
to lead a country.

Edi Susilo, 31, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in
Palmerah, Central Jakarta. He lives nearby with his wife and son:

I'm sure that from my daily earnings, which can go up to Rp
60,000 a day, there will only be enough to survive on for one
day. Normally, with that kind of income, my wife can manage to
get by for two or three days.

My wife told me that the price of staple food and vegetables
has increased. It's sad to hear that.

I'm worried that the price of milk for my son will increase
soon, too. How will I get by then? I usually spend about Rp
100,000 a week on milk.

I think low-income earners should unite to protest the
government's recent policy. I guess the regime of former
president Soeharto was far better for poor people in the country
than Megawati's administration.

Yati, 24, is a sidewalk vendor who owns a kiosk selling soft
drinks on Jl. Kelapa Puan, North Jakarta. She lives with her
husband and their son:

Why the government is so blind to forcibly impose the policy?

The country's leaders, high-ranking officials and the rich
will not feel the pinch because of their vast amount of wealth.
It is so easy for them to get billions of rupiah in such a short
time, but what about the rest of us? I have to stay up all day
and night just to earn a little income.

My daily turnover is only between Rp 100,000 and Rp 150,000
and that's not enough to purchase more goods for the business or
to lead a decent life. My income only covers my day-to-day needs.

I'm angry about my situation but I don't know who to direct my
anger at. The government does not care about the poor and I'm
sure they will not listen to any public outcry.

I wish I could protest the price hikes. But what for? It would
be of no avail as it will go against the government's wishes. I
hate them.

-- Leo Wahyudi S