`This year was worse than last year'

`This year was worse than last year'

The end of 2002 is nearing. Many people say the economic crisis
still persists and that this year has been even worse than the
previous years. The Jakarta Post asked some city residents their
thoughts about 2002 as the year 2003 draws closer.

Purwoko, 33, is a vendor who sells fried snacks. He lives in
Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta with his wife and son:

I guess the economic slowdown is the most prominent problem in
2002. Because this year was far worse than previous years.

As one of the low income people who lives in the city, I swear
that life in Jakarta is getting harder.

Almost all prices of daily commodities are increasing at the
moment.

I don't have greater hopes for next year because whoever leads
the country will be corrupt and incompetent.

I'm pessimistic that the country, particularly the city, will
be able to improve due to the ongoing economic problems.

Unless the government makes effort to improve the people's
welfare, the country will face worsening conditions and the
public will have antipathy toward the government.

Eka Wenats, 32, is a lecturer at a noted private university in
South Jakarta. He lives in Jatiwaringin, Bekasi, with his wife:

I'm really fed up with what has happened in 2002. Everything
was worse than the previous years.

I guess I'm one of the people who feels indifferent toward the
government particularly the city governor who apparently does
not side with the poor.

There are many things causing me to feel fed up. Severe
traffic jams, the low mentality of officials, and the selfishness
of government officials are among the issues that concern me.

But the most obvious is that both the city administration and
the people don't care about each other. There is no more feeling
of friendliness, if I may say so. I don't see any goodwill at all
on the part of the government to change the situation.

I'm sick of the high-ranking officials and leaders who are
simply money and power oriented.

Frankly, I've started to be apathetic. I don't always stop at
traffic lights as I don't have respect for the money craving
police.

Next year will be even worse, I assume. So, why should I care
about others if almost all city residents here are senseless? Why
should I be a good taxpayer if I don't get what I deserve as a
taxpayer?

I would recommend that President Megawati and Governor
Sutiyoso step down because they are just such incompetent
leaders!

Iwan, 18, is a vendor selling trumpets for the upcoming New
Year. He rents a house in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta:

I don't see any significant improvement in 2002. The country
is getting even poorer compared to previous years.

The rampant street crimes across Greater Jakarta scare me. I
guess the economic hardship in the city had led people to
criminal activity.

The economic downturn has made life difficult for every city
resident. Our increasing needs and limited earnings depresses us
so much that sometimes we become hard-hearted survivors.

I wonder why the greedy politicians and high-ranking officials
are so concerned with the next general election rather than the
welfare of the poor.

The President and the governor are incompetent leaders and
should be changed. They always ignore the real situation faced by
the people.

I have nothing to say about my hopes for 2003 as I feel
pessimistic and apathetic. I'm sure there will be no improvement.
Therefore a poor person like me just learns to be grateful for
being able to survive.