Accountability speech needs 'clear criteria'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Experts and officials agreed on Thursday that
\ncouncillors must establish a set of objective and valid criteria
\nto assess the annual accountability speeches by regional
\nadministration heads.<\/p>\n
The majority of city councillors rejected Jakarta Governor
\nSutiyoso's accountability speech on July 20 on the grounds that
\nhe had failed to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism
\n(KKN) within the administration and establish an orderly and
\npeaceful capital.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a panel discussion at the City Council, deputy to
\nstate minister of regional autonomy Afan Gaffar said the annual
\nspeeches were progress reports which had no political
\nconsequences.<\/p>\n
\"If city councillors wish to reject a speech, they must have
\nstrong and objective grounds rather than certain political
\npurposes,\" he told those present at the discussion.<\/p>\n
Other speakers included noted constitutional law expert Harun
\nAlrasyid, Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid and sociologist Paulus
\nWirutomo.<\/p>\n
Afan suggested the councillors formulate a query list to asses
\nthe performance of regional heads.<\/p>\n
\"City councillors can assess a governor's achievement in the
\nsocial sector, for instance, by analyzing indicators such as
\nsocial service statistics and juvenile problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Paulus shared Afan's opinion, but criticized councillors for
\nfailing to set clear parameters before rejecting the governor's
\nspeech.<\/p>\n
Harun said he was amazed at such a controversy, citing that
\neverything was already regulated by Law No. 22\/1999 on Regional
\nAutonomy.<\/p>\n
No care<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Nurcholish said Jakarta residents did not care
\nwhether the speech was accepted or rejected.<\/p>\n
\"Jakartans are waiting for development programs, which will
\nhopefully remedy their ills. They will support any administration
\ncapable of providing economic certainty for them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Although most of the councillors rejected his speech, Sutiyoso
\nwas given 30 days to revise it, as regulated by law. He is
\nscheduled to deliver a redrafted speech on Aug. 20 before a City
\nCouncil plenary meeting.<\/p>\n
If this speech is also rejected, the council can recommend to
\nthe central government that they replace Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
The City Council has also made its own ruling, which
\nstipulates that even if the revised speech is rejected, the
\ngovernor has a final chance in a public hearing organized by the
\ncouncil<\/p>\n
The speakers at the seminar, however, said that a hearing of
\nthis nature lacked legal grounds.<\/p>\n
\"The elected city councillors have already acted according to
\nthe wishes of their constituents. No public hearing is required,\"
\nAfan told The Jakarta Post after the discussion.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Paulus said a public hearing could not be held as a
\nformal mechanism to remove Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
\"It's the authority of the city council. We must have legal
\ncertainty in this matter,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"However, a public hearing could be held periodically to
\ngather the opinions and wishes of Jakarta residents and experts,
\nto be used as input for city officials and councillors,\" he
\nadded, while emphasizing that such a forum could only serve as
\nmoral stimulus.<\/p>\n
Amir Hamzah of Jakarta Governance Watch agreed, saying the
\nhearing lacked legal basis.<\/p>\n
\"Imagine if the council rejects Sutiyoso's speech again, while
\nthe public accepts his performance in the hearing. Then the
\ncouncil's decision would be destroyed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"If this happens, the councillors will no longer be legitimate
\nand have to quit,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Amir said a formal public hearing could only and should only
\nbe held to help the administration during policy-making.<\/p>\n
Money politics<\/p>\n
In a separate discussion on Thursday, speakers feared that
\ncity councillors would endorse Sutiyoso's speech, bearing in mind
\nthe rumors of money politics at the council.<\/p>\n
\"Many councillors had nothing before they became legislative
\nmembers. They now have companies of their own,\" Muhammad
\nBudyatna, a political professor at the University of Indonesia,
\ntold discussion participants at Gedong Joeang building on Jl.
\nMenteng Raya, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"People will be suspicious if councillors decide to endorse
\nthe speech after initially rejecting it. There is not enough time
\nfor Sutiyoso to make fundamental changes within a month,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Political observer Ichsanuddin Noorsy said Sutiyoso might do
\neverything to ensure councillors endorse his speech.<\/p>\n
\"It could be through money politics, or promising projects or
\npositions in his administration,\" he told reporters after the
\ndiscussion.<\/p>\n
\"As a former city military commander, Sutiyoso also has good
\nrelationships with businesspeople and public figures who can put
\npressure on the City Council,\" he added. (jaw\/lup\/nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/accountability-speech-needs-clear-criteria-1447893297",
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