Anita Rachman – The Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy released a survey on Sunday showing that people saw the government as failing to provide decent education, health care, prosperity and employment opportunities.

The survey, which was taken from 3,000 respondents in 10 provinces, also reported that almost half of the respondents viewed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as an indecisive leader who is too willing to compromise.

The numbers, said Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of Setara, were disappointing, particularly after almost 66 years of Indonesian self-rule.

Almost 50 percent of respondents stated that the government was not effective in four sectors: education (48.3 percent), health (46.9 percent), welfare (49.7 percent) and employment (47.2 percent). "Almost all sectors related to society and economics are viewed to be far from adequate by the people," Bonar said.

According to the survey, as many as 36.5 percent of respondents thought that poverty was the No. 1 problem in the country, followed by corruption, collusion and nepotism. Unemployment and the high price of food were also cause for concern.

In the fight against corruption, which many analysts see as key to ensuring Indonesia's future success in the global economy, 49.7 percent of respondents said they thought the government had not done enough to stamp out graft.

But the worst marks were reserved for Yudhoyono. Only 22.5 percent of respondents said the president was a firm leader, while 41.9 percent characterized him as a weak-willed compromiser.

Ismail Hasani, a Setara researcher, said that Yudhoyono had failed thus far to build a lasting legacy. "I don't know what people would remember about him when he leaves the office," he said.