'The poor need food, not entertainment'

The celebration of Jakarta's 476th anniversary should be fun and entertaining. An organizer said that they expected the celebration to lure people to take a break from all the troubles and strife brought on by the economic crisis and political turmoil over the past year. People gave mixed reactions, and those who were skeptical said it would be better if the city spent the money on food for the poor instead of holding such a big event. Here are some of the responses they shared with The Jakarta Post.

Wawan Kurniawan, 28, is a teacher at a private senior high school in South Jakarta. He lives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, with his wife:

I think the city's anniversary celebration lacks any real meaning.

The city administration holds it for residents, but to tell the truth, not all residents enjoy it. It's just nonsense, if I may say so.

Most of the low-income residents are busy trying to make a living, and entertainment or fun is far from their priorities. I guess many don't have enough money to have fun.

I wonder how low-income people can enjoy watching the traditional Betawi play, lenong, if they are starving.

Personally, I don't think I'll go to performances or other events because I need money for the bus. I'd rather watch them on TV.

I can't understand what Governor Sutiyoso really wants in this case. It will be far better for the city to provide food at low prices for the poor. I'm sure people who have a hard life would be really happy if the city did something like this.

I think the celebrations should really involve the ordinary people. For example, the government should have made Monas park free, so that the people can have fun every day.

But the programs often don't touch the needs of the residents.

JakArt, for instance, doesn't really meet the people's wishes. It's not a down-to-earth celebration. It's also ceremonial and a waste of money.

Eki, 29, is a courier with a private company in Central Jakarta. He lives in Srengseng, West Jakarta, with his wife and son:

I think there hasn't been anything special about the city's anniversary celebrations so far. From one year to the next, the celebrations have always been plain.

I'm part of the lower class, and we really would like to have some real entertainment that can take us out of our lives.

However, the city can't seem to provide cheap and fun entertainment for the people. I see many people not wanting to go to the celebrations, because they don't want to spend money on entertainment and transportation.

We would be more enthusiastic if only the venues were closer and free. For instance, when the anniversary was held at Monas a few years ago, I went.

Now, most of the celebrations are in Kemayoran, in Central Jakarta. Why would I want to go there? It's far and we might be mugged.

This year, I'm not interested at all in the festivities, even though we need some fun.

Gogon, 20, works at a private company in Central Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Gelora, Central Jakarta:

I welcome the city's anniversary celebrations. It will be a good opportunity for me to watch theater performances.

I like theater, because I was in a theater group during high school, and the festivities will remind me of it.

Besides, it will give me a break from the depressing work load every day.

In some ways, it will give soften the unfriendly image of the capital.

But I don't believe it will be easy to change the city's image. Not many people will be affected so easily since they don't appreciate art. It will take years to see the city in a different light.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.