'We greatly depend on electricity'

'We greatly depend on electricity'

Jakartans are apparently complying with the state power company
(PLN)'s appeal to switch off at least two light bulbs, equal to
50 watts, during peak hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until June 6
as PLN upgrades two power plants that supply electricity to the
Java-Bali grid. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their
thoughts on this energy-saving campaign.

Permana, 20, is a student at the private Guna Dharma
University in Depok. He lives nearby in a boarding house in
Lenteng Agung:

The "haves" must be the main target of any energy-saving
campaign as they consume much more energy compared to low-income
people for cooking, air conditioners, computers, ironing and
various other purposes.

Low-income families only use electricity for lighting and to
power a few electrical appliances.

Even without the call to save energy, the poor have been
saving energy of their own accord because they cannot afford high
electricity bills.

The government must also do more to encourage both private and
government offices to save energy as they also consume large
amounts of energy. They could save energy, for example, by
turning off lights that are not so important.

To make the campaign a success, the government must explain
the consequences if people ignore it. As an example, PLN could
cut off the supply to their houses.

That way, no one would ignore the save-energy campaign.

Arbai, 33, is a shop attendant in the Mangga Dua commercial
district in North Jakarta. He lives in Pasar Minggu, South
Jakarta:

Well, the electricity supply to my house is only 450 KWh. We
use the power to run a water pump, lights, for ironing, the
television and a tape recorder. We have to turn off the lights
and electrical appliances when we turn on the water pump or plug
in the iron.

I know about the save-energy campaign from the media. I
support the call as the power could go off if we ignore it.
People living in big city like Jakarta completely depend on
electricity.

If we suffer an energy shortage, we will have very bad time.
We were already economizing on energy before the call from
PLN. For example, we only turn on two lights at night. The reason
is simple. We can't afford to pay a bill of more than Rp 50,000
(US$5.26) per month.

--The Jakarta Post