'There should be some improvement in the city'

'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