A decentralized Jakarta easier to manage: Experts<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Experts are calling for the decentralization of power in the
\ncapital Jakarta, saying that the move would boost people's
\nparticipation in the decision-making process and allow the public
\nto exert effective controls on officials.<\/p>\n
A decentralized Jakarta would also be easier to manage and
\nimprove public services here, they said.<\/p>\n
Election law expert and former executive director of the
\nCenter for Electoral Reform (Cetro) Smita Notosusanto said
\nJakarta was too big to be managed by the provincial
\nadministration only.<\/p>\n
\"It is a shame that we still find many malnourished children,
\nand polio cases in the capital. It shows that Jakarta has too
\nmany unnoticed problems because the administration is too busy to
\nhandle other big problems,\" she told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
At least 8,455 children under five in Jakarta were suffering
\nfrom malnutrition, almost 1 percent of the total of 923,000
\nchildren under five estimated to be living in the capital, the
\ncity health agency said recently.<\/p>\n
Smita said studies showed decentralization could improve the
\ngovernment services in many areas, especially in education and
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
A recent survey conducted by the World Bank and Yogyakarta-
\nbased Gajah Mada University in 32 cities and regencies across the
\ncountry showed that four years after the introduction of regional
\nautonomy, the majority of people had seen improvements in health,
\neducation and administrative services.<\/p>\n
The survey found 60 percent of respondents identified
\nimprovements in public health, while 60 percent households polled
\nfelt there was an improvement in the condition of schools,
\nquality of teachers, and academic performance.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has five municipalities and one regency -- the
\nThousand Islands region.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a regional autonomy expert from the University of
\nIndonesia (UI), Eko Prasojo, said if not instituted properly,
\nautonomy would cause more problems than it would solve. Newly
\nelected mayors could have difficulties coordinating their flood,
\ngarbage and transportation systems with other regions, he said.<\/p>\n
\"This will slow down the decision-making process.\"<\/p>\n
Eko said the authority of municipalities, regencies and the
\nprovincial administration had to be clearly defined to avoid
\npossible conflicts.<\/p>\n
He suggested that wider, inter-regional issues be handled by
\nthe provincial administration, while municipalities and regency
\nwould handle \"local\" problems only, including health, education,
\nand employment.<\/p>\n
He added that Article 18 of the amended 1945 Constitution
\nallowed Jakartans to request the Constitutional Court review laws
\nthat could be used to give Jakarta provincial autonomy.<\/p>\n
In other provinces, regional autonomy rests in the
\nmunicipalities or regencies.<\/p>\n
\"Autonomy for Jakarta is based on several articles in Law No.
\n34\/1999 and Law No. 32\/2004 on regional autonomy, while the
\nConstitution clearly states that all regions, including
\nprovinces, regencies and municipalities are entitled to
\nautonomy,\" Eko said.<\/p>\n
He said that many experts had expressed the opinion Jakarta
\nshould be treated in the same way other regions were.<\/p>\n
If the government decided to give all regions in Jakarta
\nautonomy, then revenue and financing issues could be arranged
\naccording to Law No. 33\/2004 on regional funding, just like other
\nregions.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-decentralized-jakarta-easier-to-manage-experts-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}