Expert says dekel 'need empowering'<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Subdistrict councils should be formed independently by residents
\nand treated as equal partners by local administrations in making
\npolicies that affect the public, an expert says.<\/p>\n
The director of urban and rural affairs at the National
\nDevelopment Planning Board, Penny Lukito-Firdaus, said on Friday
\nindependent subdistrict councils would reflect the public
\nparticipation required for good governance.<\/p>\n
\"The essence of public participation is the public's
\ninvolvement in decision making, not merely that they are
\ninformed,\" she said. \"The public has to bear the consequences of
\nthe policies.\"<\/p>\n
Subdistrict councils have been established in Jakarta based on
\nArticle 27 of Law No. 39\/1999 on the administration of special
\nregions.<\/p>\n
However, these councils have little influence in creating
\npolicy. For the most part, they are limited to providing input
\nregarding the administration at the subdistrict level and
\nexplaining policies to residents.<\/p>\n
Members of the current councils are selected by heads of
\ncommunity units in their respective areas.<\/p>\n
Penny said the administration might need to introduce the idea
\nof public participation to residents, but should not be involved
\nin the establishment of the councils.<\/p>\n
\"The members should be directly elected by the people.
\nProminent figures in the area can also be initiators,\" she said.<\/p>\n
According to Penny, since 1997 the central government has
\nconducted pilot projects dealing with empowering the people at
\nthe subdistrict level.<\/p>\n
The People's Self-Supporting Body is working on poverty
\neradication, with programs designed by the residents themselves.<\/p>\n
\"We are developing this model, hoping that it can be
\nreplicated elsewhere for other objectives,\" said Penny. The
\nprogram, which is taking place in Java and Kalimantan, will end
\nin 2007.<\/p>\n
One obstacle to the implementation of good governance is that
\nleaders tend to focus on the short term, she said.<\/p>\n
\"They want to show that they have performed during their
\ntenures by physical and economical development, and often neglect
\nthe social and environmental consequences,\" she said. \"Social
\ncontrol (by the community) needs to be developed.\"<\/p>\n
Jakarta is in the process of establishing the City
\nTransportation Council. Some 185 of 335 applicants passed the
\ninitial screening and will undergo a written test, an interview
\nand a psychological review.<\/p>\n
Thirteen members will be selected based on the reviews,
\ncarried out by the University of Indonesia. The council's task
\nwill be to provide recommendations on transportation in the
\ncapital to the governor, who has the final say on the policies.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-says-dekel-need-empowering-1447893297",
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