What people say about SBY

Ray Rangkuti, executive director of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP):

We have not seen a coherent strategy in dealing with the country's myriad problems in the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. As a result, in the first three months of his administration, we witnessed only sporadic changes which have had no significant impact on people's daily lives. His approach was issue-based and a reaction to what went on in the political scene.

I believe that with such an approach, we can expect that Susilo's administration will register minuscule changes during his five-year term.

Ifdhal Kasim, executive director of rights group the Institute for Public Research and Advocacy (Elsam):

In the first three months in office, Susilo's administration has failed miserably in realizing the pledge he had said was to be his top priority during his campaign trail -- eradicating corruption and seeking legal action against human rights abusers. Susilo may have a strong will to fulfill his promises, but the institution he hoped would spearhead the move, the Attorney General's Office had become a weak spot for him.

Instead of finding breakthroughs to bypass the redundant legal procedures the office has been preoccupied with internal problems. The new attorney general was busy guarding himself from a possible mutiny by his subordinates. This can be seen from his move to set up a team of experts and the Judicial Commission. Susilo will achieve little progress if the Attorney General's Office fails to come up with its own creative efforts.

Addie MS, musician/conductor of Twilite Orchestra:

I didn't believe in the 100-day program from the beginning. It's like an effort to boost the sales of bad quality products that will break after a month's use.

It will need a longer timetable than 100 days to evaluate the President's performance. Especially with the tsunami disaster and everything else going on, the President is in a difficult position.

I myself am optimistic that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will do a good job as president. It's not a matter of him being a bad leader, but the trouble often comes from his subordinates, such as Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who has often made inappropriate remarks.

SBY himself might be a good leader, and he has shown good moves, like in the case of (businessman) Adiguna Sutowo. So, just give him a chance, don't be too quick to judge and condemn a president. It's a Goliath task to lead a country, and only by supporting our presidents can we really produce good leaders.

Shanty Harmayn, filmmaker/cofounder of the Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFest):

From the beginning, president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have been burdened by very high expectations. The challenges were enormous.

But on the other hand, they have more support and opportunities to perform better. And I don't see that they have made good use of the support and opportunities.

They are not determined and firm enough, and judging from the media, it seems that the administration does not have good coordination.

They just have to be more firm and strict. Take a risk, don't be indecisive anymore. And I hope the government can come up with a clear plan and strategy to improve the cultural scene as there is none at all now.

Agung Laksono, House of Representatives Speaker and deputy chairman of the Golkar Party:

We can see some weaknesses, for example the policies on corruption eradication. There are several figures who have allegedly committed corruption, but they are still free.

Also, we have not seen steps to deal with economic recovery.

We, however, understand that the government has worked hard in some sectors. Then, the catastrophic tsunami came. This has consumed the energy of the government. It has also forced the government to spend money on disaster mitigation.

The House will not make a specific assessment of the first 100 days of the government. For the House, the assessment is an ongoing duty carried out every day.

Ignatius Mulyono of the Democratic Party:

Basically, we agree that it is impossible to change the terrible conditions in the country within only 100 days. But, we can see the steps taken by the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

He has given clear direction to his Cabinet ministers to put in place the fundamentals for further actions.

We cannot expect spectacular changes within 100 days. If there are drastic changes it will only create anxiety among the people. The ministers have shown serious action.

I hope fellow legislators can jointly criticize the policies of the government, the President and his ministers, so that our expectations can be realized.

Sugiarto, a graphic design student at Bina Nusantara:

I have not felt any changes. The program probably means more to the poor than to us who can afford school fees. I think there should be better moral education at school especially for elementary students. It might be able to curb corruption in the future. The current curriculum called PPKN or Pancasila and Civic education is not sufficient as students need more practical lessons instead of theories.

Johantan Indraguwan, a student at the University of Tarumanegara:

It is too early to see whether his program has worked or not. So far, I have not felt any changes in the education system. We have not seen any results, but it is not that he has failed to fulfill his promises, as we might be able to see the results in the next six months. But in the future, there needs to be a subsidy for education because the current cost of education is too high in comparison to people's living standards.

Andreas Pandiangan, a political analyst from the Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang:

Susilo's Cabinet has done little in the past 100 days, especially to do with combating corruption. The government has been sluggish in prosecuting big corruption cases. There are several important cases that have been investigated for the past few years but never brought to court.

Andreas Herry Kahuripan, the secretary general of the Indonesia Forest Research Institute (LPHI), in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Thursday:

Susilo's Cabinet has still failed to address the problem of illegal logging during his first 100 days in office. Illegal logging remains rampant in the regions although the government has stepped up a campaign against the practice.

In order to succeed in combating illegal logging, the government must tighten its supervision of the sector and take harsher measures against errant officials and the illegal loggers themselves. The government should also set up a special court to deal with the offense.

Moedji Raharto, a senior astronomer at the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, West Java:

The situation has got worse during the first 100 days of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. There has been a rise of jobless people during the past three months and the price of household items, including liquefied petroleum gas, has skyrocketed. I am afraid that his popularity among the people will fade away to nothing.

Ade Jasman, a spokesman for the National Student Front in Jambi:

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration has so far failed to provide affordable quality education for the people. School fees remain expensive, barring the poor from enjoying the benefits of education.

Deswati Sembiring, a contract worker in an industrial estate in Batam, Riau:

I thought that President Susilo would pay more attention to the fate of workers. However, my hopes so far have proven unfounded. The fate of workers has not yet improved in President Susilo's first 100 days. We have fought for better wages but our demands have fallen on deaf ears.