Jakarta needs more democracy: Experts<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Revisions to the law creating Jakarta as a special capital
\nterritory should make the city more democratic by pushing for
\nregional autonomy, experts say.<\/p>\n
They expressed disappointment on Friday that members of the
\nHouse of Representatives, who recently prepared the draft
\nrevision of law No. 34\/1999, have not included the option to
\ncreate direct elections for regional heads.<\/p>\n
\"It is regrettable that the draft revision of law on Jakarta
\nas special capital territory does not rule on autonomy at the
\nmunicipal\/regency level. It means that (legislators) are
\nreluctant to push democratization in the capital,\" said Smita
\nNotosusanto of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) on Friday.<\/p>\n
The bill was prepared by 20 members of the House of
\nRepresentatives from a broad spectrum of political parties.<\/p>\n
She said that with the current system, Jakarta was the most
\nundemocratic region in the country because its five mayors and
\none regent were not directly elected by the people but were
\nappointed by the governor.<\/p>\n
Smita said the revision of law No. 34\/1999 was a good time to
\nmake the city more democratic by ending this system.<\/p>\n
In the bill, the governor still retains the right to appoint
\nJakarta's five mayors and one regent, making it the only province
\nin the nation where mayors and regents are not directly elected
\nby the people.<\/p>\n
Mayors and regents in other provinces are now chosen in direct
\nelections, thanks to amendments to Law No. 32\/2004 on regional
\nadministrations.<\/p>\n
Smita expressed the hope that legislators would listen to the
\naspirations of Jakartans when they deliberated the draft.<\/p>\n
Law No. 32\/2004 on regional administrations, which becomes the
\nlegal basis for regional autonomy outside Jakarta, did not have
\nto apply to the city, which was special region, she argued.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta could, for example, rule to allow independent
\ncandidates for gubernatorial and mayoral elections because as a
\nspecial territory, Jakarta could have its own system like in Aceh
\nand Papua,\" she told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan
\nsaid that Jakarta has many potential figures who could become
\nindependent gubernatorial or mayoral candidates.<\/p>\n
\"Legislators should make a breakthrough for democracy in
\nJakarta by allowing independent candidates to take part in
\ngubernatorial and mayoral elections in the city,\" he told the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Such electoral systems were common in cities worldwide,
\nincluding Southeast Asian cities like Manila, he said.<\/p>\n
City Council Speaker Ade Surapriatna opposed the idea, saying
\nit would cause problems integrating development in the city.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta is different from other regions. There are many
\nproblems in Jakarta like floods and traffic congestion which
\nshould be solved at the provincial level. If each municipality is
\nan autonomous region it would be difficult to overcome such
\nproblems,\" he said.<\/p>",
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