'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