Imbalances in city's development programs deplored<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As the capital city won the Parasamya Purnakarya
\nNugraha award, many of its residents see the rapid development as
\nhaving been concentrated only on particular areas.<\/p>\n
\"I admit that the physical development in some parts of the
\ncity is rapid. New apartments, high-rise buildings and flyovers
\nare being built, but it has hardly affected my neighborhood,\" Mrs
\nDundjung, a housewife who lives in West Jakarta, said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand she pointed out other parts of the city,
\nsuch as Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta, as being
\nin stark contrast to her neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\"From my point of view the city development is only
\nconcentrated in certain areas. My neighborhood never changes, the
\ngutters are still clogged up,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Parasamya Purnakarya Nugraha is the award given to provinces
\nfor outstanding achievements in the national development program
\nover a period of five years. So far only three provinces have won
\nthe award; East Java (1974), Central Java (1979) and West Java
\n(1989).<\/p>\n
Jakarta as the capital city, known as the center of government
\nand business, has tried for years to win this prestigious award
\nand this year finally managed to do so. The municipality will
\nhold a three-day festival in celebration.<\/p>\n
\"We have been waiting for this achievement for 20 years,\" said
\nDjoko Broto Surjono, the organizer of the celebration ceremony.<\/p>\n
The award is given to a province successful in encouraging
\ndevelopment in its area as part of national development, and it
\nis aimed at inspiring every province to speed up the pace of
\ndevelopment in all fields.<\/p>\n
Some Jakartans are hardly aware of the prestigious award
\nachieved by their city. They barely taste the result of the rapid
\ndevelopment as they are too busy with their daily lives.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, I can see the development in this city is rapid, there
\nare many new bridges, toll roads and high-rise buildings. But the
\nmost important thing for me is to work as hard as I can to feed
\nmy family,\" said Sarkosih, 42, a scavenger who hails from Jongol
\nin West Java.<\/p>\n
He said as an uneducated man he just accepts any policies made
\nby the municipality because he does not understand anything about
\nthe development program.<\/p>\n
However there are many people who express their deep concerns
\nover the fact that the development only involves the physical
\naspects. \"The development here is only building facilities,
\nneglecting spiritual aspects which are just as important,\" said
\nSeno, a street sweeper in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Untouchable<\/p>\n
The development is also seen as out of bounds to small people.
\nStreet traders, for example, are often forced to play hide and
\nseek with municipal officials.<\/p>\n
\"I have to close the stall when there is an operation being
\ncarried out, but I open again as soon as they are gone,\" said
\nMasdono, 39, a street barber who practices under the bridge on
\nJl. Dewi Sartika, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He said he has to operate in such a manner because he has to
\nearn money for his family and he does not make enough to rent a
\nroom, while the municipality's plan to provide places to small-
\nscale traders has not eventuated.<\/p>\n
\"We were all registered by the officials but when the
\nconstruction of the market was completed, the kiosks there were
\nallocated for large-scale businessmen,\" he complained.<\/p>\n
While for Seno and many other residents development means the
\nappropriation of their houses and land.(yns)<\/p>",
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