Up for election
Along with voting for political parties and legislative candidates in the House of Representatives (DPR) and City/Regency Council (DPRD), voters will also select candidates for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). The DPD will consist of 550 elected members from all 32 provinces, who will form the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). This article is the second of a 13-part series of profiles of 38 Jakarta candidates for the DPD by The Jakarta Post's Bambang Nurbianto.
HERMAN BENHARD LEOPOLD MANTIRI
Candidacy number: 4
Place/date of birth: Bogor/Sept. 11, 1939
Education: Bandung's School for Military Commanders.
Organizational experience:
- INKAI karate school
- Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International (FGBMI)
- All-Indonesian Kennel Association
- Indonesian Bible Group (PII)
Past and current jobs:
- West Kalimantan military commander
- Udayana military commander (overseeing Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, and then East Timor)
- Indonesian ambassador to Singapore
My ambition is to create a safe and orderly Jakarta with prosperous residents. Security must be seriously addressed as it is a vital factor for dealing with other problems.
We must also develop the city to be a better place for residents and foreign guests.
A better transportation system is needed to ensure people's mobility to help economic recovery. We must also address social problems like the increasing number of street children and beggars.
I dream that in the future, Jakarta will be a role model for other cities in Indonesia and the world. A capital that was in good condition would help Indonesia end this prolonged crisis.
BIEM TRIANI BENJAMIN
Candidacy number: 5
Place/date of birth: Jakarta/March 13, 1964
Education: Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado, the U.S.
Organizational experience:
- Banten chapter of the Indonesian Private Radio Association (PRRSNI)
- Betawi Assembly (Bamus Betawi)
- Betawi Culture Institute (LKB)
Past and current jobs:
- President director of etnikom radio
- Owner of 11 other radio stations nationwide
- Employee of PT Santos Jaya Abadi
Frankly, I am concerned with the fate of the Betawi (native Jakartans), most of whom have been marginalized in various aspects of life, including education, social affairs and the economy.
Therefore, as a Betawi person, I want to improve their lot. But I will not discriminate by only focusing on my ethnic group. I think it is normal that I want to help people who are in need.
One of my goals is to revise Law No. 34/1999 on Jakarta as a special administration. I want the revised law to give special treatment to the Betawi as the original inhabitants of the city.
We can take Malaysia as an example, as that country gives special treatment to the Malays. This may work for the Betawi, although many may also object to it as they may think it is discriminatory. In my opinion, such special treatment is needed to help this group.
ASTUTI B. SOEROSO
Candidacy number: 6
Place/date of birth: Surabaya/March 18, 1935
Education: High school
Organizational experience:
- Indonesian Businesswomen Association (Iwapi)
- Indonesian Coalition Forum for Democracy and Justice (P3D)
- Indonesian Culinary Experts Association
Past and current jobs:
- Businesswoman
I am very concerned with various social problems in the city. I have dealt with these problems with some non-governmental organizations, and this issue will also be my focus if I am elected to the DPD.
Poverty remains a big problem in Jakarta although there are many rich people. I believe that poverty is the root of all social problems, including high crime rates, street children and beggars.
My serious attention will be focused on improving people's welfare. I will take the (poverty) issue to any discussion with my colleagues from other regions. We want both the central and regional governments to give more attention to this problem.
If we can eradicate poverty, we can make Jakarta a better place to live. Many slum areas could be eliminated without forcefully evicting people because the city would be able to accommodate them in prepared areas.