We Asked People on Tinder About Sandi's Plan to Get Your Lonely Self a Date

Big campaign promises are probably as old as elections themselves. Find in a time machine, set the dial for Ancient Greece, and I bet you'll find some guy in a tunic making all kinds of promises. "A lyre for every musician, a Plato for every classroom, a bronze naked dude for every town square." You get the idea.

Well, incoming deputy governor Sandiaga Uno has some big promises of his own. Sandi, as he is popularly known, promised to help single Jakartans find their dream man/woman.

That's right, City Hall is here to rescue Jakarta from loneliness. How? Through costly government programs, that's how. The proposed Kartu Jomblo Jakarta, or Jakarta Singles Card, will allow residents to access what will surely be the hottest ticket in town: government-sponsored singles mixers. There, singles will mingle and also get a chance to enroll in the new administration's OK-OCE program—which will reportedly provide people with jobs and zero-money down home loans.

Sandi explained the logic behind the combination of a singles night, a jobs fair, and a home mortgage center in an interview with Kompas.com. "[Singles] will be able to get better jobs, and then once they have stable incomes, they will make a more positive impression on their potential in-laws," he explained. "The 0 downpayment housing will also help make sure he is more confident in the face of his potential in-laws. He will be able to say, 'I actually own a house, you know.' So, he could propose to his girlfriend with pride in his heart because he has his own place."

The plan has gotten mixed reviews on the streets of Jakarta. "Why does the government want to regulate our private lives?" Agus Pambagio told BBC Indonesia. "It's obviously a bad policy. What's the card for anyway? I don't understand why singles need such a card. I think they have too much time on their hands. They should've [used their time] to think of how to improve Jakarta."

So what do actual singles think of this "singles card"? If only there was an easy-to-use dating app already out there. One that was, maybe, organized by profile and physical location? One like, oh, I don't know, Tinder?

VICE Indonesia: Hey!
VK: Hello.

Hey, I want to ask you something. Can I?
Sure. You're writing, huh?

Yeah, so aside from being on Tinder, I'm also a journalist.
Haha.

**So what do you think of the **Kartu Jakarta Jomblo?
Jakartans already have healthcare, so we're covered if we're heartbroken and wander into a bar. I think the facilities should be better allocated to those in need. They don't have to help just singles. They should help the unemployed and those whose income is below the standard minimum wage. Or, if they really have to, they can combine it with the existing Kartu Jakarta Pintar [the current administrations public assistance program] so that it will be KJP Plus or something.

Does this card stigmatize being single?
That's where I think it's wrong. Being single really depends on one's point-of-view. It doesn't necessarily mean they are alone. And single people don't need to be spoiled or pitied by the government. We have dignity too. If the government wants to give people benefits, it should be irrespective of someone's relationship status.

So you think it robs single people of their dignity? Hahahaha
LOL, I think so. Single people are not second-class citizens.

Why do you think politicians love to obsess over single people? Remember Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil built Taman Jomblo [Singles Park]? Are these just populist programs targeting the youth?
I think it is just a way for them to promote themselves. In my opinion, young voters dominate the election. So they might just be looking for a way to grab their attention.

Is it normal for the government to get this involved in citizens' love life?
I don't have an answer for that. They might have good intentions, to just help us find a partner, but it depends on the person. There are people who don't like to be set up on blind dates. It makes that the government wants to help, but if they are interfering with our private lives, then it no longer makes sense.

For example, what if they want us to submit a CV or something? Then it's nonsense. If they really wanted to help, they could just help us cover the cost of the wedding. I think that would be a good program.

Gopas: Hello Arzia! Thank you for swiping right on my profile! :)
VICE Indonesia: Hey you.
Greetings from your friend 'GO-JEK'. :D [It's a joke because his name is Gopas, like GO-JEK, get it?]

Oh, Gopas. Greetings to you too. **Hey, I want to ask you a question. *I'm asking people about the Kartu Jakarta Jomblo program. Have you ever heard of it?***
Yeah, I saw it on Facebook. Sandiaga Uno wants it to be realized so bad, and he wanted there to be child-friendly public spaces where single people could hang out together.

What's your take on the card? Do you agree with the program?
1. I disagree
2. The program is basically about giving money to 'single' people. Can you imagine? Now everyone will claim they are single! There is no relationship status on our ID [it's only marital status]. So there will be too many people. What a waste of money. If the purpose is to build silaturahim [a good relationship] then they might as well just keep City Hall open for 24 hours. They could listen to people's rants and they could follow up right away. Ahok has built mosques, so maybe this time Anies-Sandi should build churches and temples to unite the people.
3. This program only lasts six months. It's not that significant.

Is it normal for a government to want to regulate our relationship status?
I think it's important if we have a declining population like in Japan and South Korea. It's normal, but only in certain circumstances. It's not normal for Indonesia/ Jakarta today. :D

Do you know that non-married adults pay more taxes than married ones?
For real? Do single people pay more taxes than married ones? If that's true, I'm pretty disappointed. I feel like that's why it's harder to save up for marriage.

Alright, I just checked with my boss. Single people do pay more taxes. Shit, I feel like I'm already married, but to the country.

VICE Indonesia:What do you think of Kartu Jakarta Jombo?
P: I think it's a joke.

Why?
Personal relationships have always been a private matter. If it's now being regulated for political means, then I think it's a joke. It's possible that they will make regulations in the future requiring newborn babies to have a religion. Or other regulations that are aimed at our private lives. They should just focus on programs that clearly improve our city, the bureaucracy, or the infrastructure.

Do you feel like it stigmatizes being single?
No. I don't see the connection. It's just a program. Do you want to join the program? Haha.

What I mean is that they made this program for single people as if we need special attention. It's like they are saying everyone needs a partner, that being single is not a choice.
No… I think they were just running out of campaign ideas.

Rico: I see VICE. I 'superlike'
VICE Indonesia: Haha. Hey, can I ask you a question? Would you do an interview?
What are the questions? Do you need an intern for VICE? A camera person? Haha

**Haha. Not that I know of. I am trying to gather people's views regarding the **Kartu Jakarta Jombo.
Hang on. Let me read up on the regulation. Do I get an internship after that? Haha.

What regulation? I can't promise you anything, but I'll give you my email if you want to apply. But we only have a position available for video right now. So what do you think of the government getting this involved in your love life?
If they want to govern it, it's not normal. But if they only want to provide a platform, a medium, then it's OK. It depends on the people, whether the people want to join the program.

Well then what do you think of the Kartu Jakarta Jombo program?
I think it's not that creative. The program is irrelevant to the real problems in Indonesia.

So was it just a way to grab voters' attention?
It could be. Because it does seem like a joke. Maybe they need it as their opener.

Would you join the program if it actually happens?
Haha, no way. There's nothing more embarrassing than joining that program. But look at me, I'm on Tinder. Isn't that ironic? Hahahah

I sort of feel like they are trying to shame us single people. Do you ever feel that way?
I think it's a platform like any other, but about something more private. I think people think its shameful because there is nothing we can't do about being single. It does seem forced though, sort of inorganic.