'The powerful always break promises'

'The powerful always break promises'

Most of Jakarta's public transportation drivers have been having
it tough lately, especially since the government instituted its
policy of regularly raising fuel prices. The situation is
exacerbated by the notorious congestion all over the city. They
told The Jakarta Post recently about their opinions of Governor
Sutiyoso and his achievements while in office.

Solekun, 37, is an elementary school graduate who resides in
Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He has been driving bajaj (three-
wheeled motorized vehicle) for over 12 years. He was born in
Tegal, Central Java, and has lived in Jakarta since 1982.

Speaking about the Jakarta governor, to be honest I don't
really care who the next one is, whether it's Sutiyoso,
Abdurrahman Wahid or even Megawati Soekarnoputri herself.

I don't know any of them in person. All I know is that these
kinds of powerful people always break their promises to look
after the poor.

During campaigning, they always vow to side with the poor. But
when they reach the top, they forget all about the common people
who elected them.

I don't care if Sutiyoso retires. I don't care if someone else
becomes the governor. It's no big deal.

The only thing I know is that I still have to cope somehow
with the rocketing prices of basic commodities, including the
bajaj rental fee of Rp 26,000 a day. I also still have to feed my
wife and three children in Tegal.

Trisno, 47, is also an elementary school graduate from Tegal,
Central Java. Having moved to Jakarta in 1973 to work as a
minibus driver, he now lives in Pondok Karya, Mampang, South
Jakarta, with some acquaintances. His wife and four children are
still in Tegal.

Don't ask me about politics, I don't know anything about it!

I think Pak Sutiyoso has not done well as he didn't give any
help to the flood victims, including myself. The aid that we
received came from President Megawati Soekarnoputri, but
definitely not Sutiyoso.

I think the previous governors were much better, like Pak
Wiyogo Atmodarminto, who was very concerned about the poor. We
used to have lots of opportunities for work, more passengers and
we could save some money as prices were not as crazy as they are
today.

Life is getting more difficult now. Fuel prices have gone up
again, meaning we have to pay even more for our rental fee.

Crime has also increased and is now uncontrollable.

Panut, not his real name, 30, comes from Semarang. Leaving
high school in Jakarta in 1985, Panut, who has worked as a taxi
driver for seven years, now lives in Srengseng Sawah, South
Jakarta.

Talking about Sutiyoso is like discussing something unpleasant
to Panut.

Sutiyoso is undisciplined, he can't govern or impose order on
the city.

Look at the streets and traditional markets where lots of
street vendors cause so much traffic congestion. It's because he
has failed to handle the city's disorder and reduce street crime.

The terrible traffic makes life harder. I can hardly earn any
money when the jams start. The public order office must take
firm action against the unruly vendors.

I'm so ashamed every time I drive foreign tourists from the
airport to their hotels when they see the poor state of the city
and the slums.

I don't care who wins. Whoever it is, though, must be
concerned about the poor. -- JP