West Java voters pin simple hopes on new governor

Fri, 04/11/2008 12:32 PM  |  National

Adi Nuryanto, 31, a meatball seller on Jl. Garut in Bandung, is originally from Yogyakarta and has lived in Bandung for the past 17 years.

"I hope the new governor's administration can facilitate applications for documents such as household cards, identity cards and birth certificates. I have been living in Bandung for 17 years but often find it difficult to arrange for the documents. I also hope the new governor can lower the prices of basic commodities, such as kerosene, flour and especially beef, which has reached Rp 54,000 (approximately US$6) per kilogram now."

Rice Novaria, 17, is in the 12th grade at Padjadjaran high school on Jl. Srigading, Bandung.

"It's my first time voting. I don't know who to choose ... I'm still blank. I hope the new governor can reduce public transportation fares, school fees and the price of textbooks because they cut down my pocket money. I also hope the new governor is able to alleviate poverty so there won't be kids begging on the streets. I feel sorry for them."

Diah Pitaloka, 30, has been a supporter of women as family heads in Tanjungsiang, Subang, since 2002.

"I hope the new governor doesn't personify women as just a subject of development and can change the paradigm of treating women. He should also be bold enough not to only include women in the bureaucratic structure to manage the Family Welfare Movement and the Dharma Wanita civil servants' wives association, thus making them apolitical. They have been marginalized and have no access to funds and are unable to become decision makers for change. So far they are just subjects for the budget and can never have access to change their fate."

Ita Rosita, 31, is a single mother of two who works at a textile mill in Majalaya.

"I don't pin any hopes on the new governor. The most important thing is to erase the system of contract workers so we don't have to be worried each year, waiting for the boss to say whether or not we can work there again. I worked at my old factory for eight years, but was dismissed in 2006. Now I'm a contract worker at another mill and am deprived of benefits, such as healthcare and other allowances. I don't think anyone would employ me permanently if I tried to apply at other places."

Johnson Sihombing, 43, is a police officer who lives with his wife and four children in Cirebon.

"I am personally attached to local culture since I have been here for more than 20 years. The new governor should enhance coordination with regents and mayors in reforming the bureaucracy, bettering public service and fighting against corruption. It looks impossible for the new governor to create clean governance unless the bureaucracy is reformed and rampant corruption is fought. The new governor should also give more attention to the development of the underdeveloped north coast, including Indramayu, Subang and Cirebon."

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