'There should be some improvement in the city'

The recent City Council speakership election has seen councillor Ade Surapriatna of the Golkar Party as the winner, although Jakartans previously predicted councillor Ahmad Heryawan of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) would get the post. The result has the public suspecting money politics was involved in the election. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents about their expectations for the new councillors.

Prisilla Puspitasari, 24, a public relations officer of PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia. She lives with her family in Kalibata, South Jakarta:

I hope the new councillors fulfill their promises made during the legislative election campaign. They should make changes, no matter how little they are. Perhaps, from 10 programs they promised, they could at least do one a year.

As the people's representatives, they must put forward their priorities to the city administration. The councillors must focus on job opportunities, education, health and proper housing, all at affordable prices for 'common people'.

The four sectors are crucial, particularly the next generation. Living in poverty and being uneducated can push people to the edge and maybe later commit crime acts or something they had never even thought of before.

They must stop the authorities that evict squatters from land, who then later build shopping centers or office complexes on that land.

Feldani Effendy, 28, a media relations officer of PT BMW Indonesia. He lives with his family in Joglo, West Jakarta:

I just hope that the new councillors be more professional in their job. They must be able to accept criticism and improve themselves.

Maybe in a year, they can only perform 30 percent of the targeted programs but there should be at least some improvement. The councillors should do their job with enthusiasm. Hopefully, they don't forget their promises during the campaign after receiving all the facilities that go with the job.

The councillors should give input to the administration to deal with chronic problems in the capital, particularly traffic jams, pollution and flooding.

Besides, they must also focus on poverty alleviation. If people are overburdened, they become social problems to others.

I know the councillors can't fix these things overnight, but they must show their good will.

-- The Jakarta Post