City pledges all out war on vagrants, beggars<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso declared war yesterday on
\nvagrants, beggars, transvestites and "three-in-one" kids who, he
\nsaid, hindered the city's development.<\/p>\n
The newly appointed governor ordered all his subordinates to
\ncooperate with related bodies, including City Police, to take
\nstern action against the groups but ensure they were given a
\nbetter chance to improve their life.<\/p>\n
"Jakarta has become an international city. It's our duty to
\nmake the city friendly and secure for everyone.<\/p>\n
"I believe the existence of those kinds of people has more of
\na negative effect than a positive effect," Sutiyoso told city
\nofficials during a meeting at City Hall yesterday.<\/p>\n
The three-in-one kids or "jockeys", for instance, have been
\nwidely blamed for the failure of the three-in-one traffic
\nregulation, he said.<\/p>\n
"If there were no jockeys, the law would have greatly reduced
\ntraffic congestion in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"But due to their presence and the increasing demand of
\nmotorists for their service, the three-in-one concept has failed
\nto reach its target."<\/p>\n
The jockeys, mostly youngsters and housewives, are paid by
\nmotorists to become the second and\/or third passenger in a car so
\nthe driver can access restricted three-in-one areas during rush
\nhours.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's meeting was attended by the city's high-ranking
\nofficials, including those from the public order office and land
\ntransportation, public works and social welfare agencies.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso also cited the growing number of transvestites who
\nwere begging for money from motorists by singing at city
\nintersections and traffic lights.<\/p>\n
"One of them once approached my car. He sang and then asked
\nfor money. I gave him money, not because I wanted to give it
\nfreely, but because I was afraid he would scratch my car with his
\nnails," the former Jakarta military commander said.<\/p>\n
"This kind of thing happens in Jakarta," he said. "And as a
\nmetropolitan city, Jakarta can no longer tolerate this.<\/p>\n
"We are visited by many foreign people. Is the city safe for
\neverybody? It's time for us to improve Jakarta's performance and
\nimage."<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso promised to provide better facilities for the groups
\nhe was targeting if they tried to earn a decent living and
\noffered a service that was useful to society, such as becoming a
\nvendor.<\/p>\n
By doing so, people will be able to raise their own dignity,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Sutiyoso also pledged to crack down on
\ncity officials in line with the National Disciplinary Movement.<\/p>\n
"I've learned that many officials come to work late.<\/p>\n
"We also haven't had a good system of discipline." he said.
\n"Queuing is just one example. We never learn how to stand in
\nline, wait for our turn.<\/p>\n
"You cannot get special treatment all the time just because
\nyou are, for instance, a high-ranking official," he warned his
\nsubordinates.<\/p>\n
The governor also urged city officials to stop commercializing
\ntheir position and he cited, as an example, the arduous
\nprocedures for processing a document.<\/p>\n
"We are the servants of the citizens," he said. "So we have to
\nupgrade our service to the public and not ask money in return for
\ndoing it."<\/p>\n
He also urged officials to cut the bureaucratic red tape.<\/p>\n
"We make the rules. So, we can change them in the interest of
\nthe people. By cutting the arduous bureaucracy, we can speed up
\nadministrative processes and create a professional service."<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso also pledged to seek more funds from wealthy
\nJakartans to continue the city's regreening campaign.<\/p>\n
"Let's empty their pockets to create a better city
\nenvironment," he said, and the officials responded with a round
\nof applause.<\/p>\n
He also revealed his commitment to regreening the capital.<\/p>\n
"I wonder why people here seem to have a lack of awareness
\nabout regreening their own yard," he said, adding that the
\nprogram would restart in the wet season.<\/p>\n
"People's awareness about planting trees must include the
\naverage person and the giant developers," he said.<\/p>\n
"When an area as big as Plaza Senayan (in Central Jakarta) is
\nleft bare, without any sufficient trees or green areas, what are
\n(the owners of the building) thinking about?" the two-star
\ngeneral said. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-pledges-all-out-war-on-vagrants-beggars-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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