Jakartans' expectations and hopes for their new governor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As predicted, City Military Commander Maj.
\nGen. Sutiyoso easily defeated the other two nominees in
\nyesterday's selection to become Jakarta's next governor.<\/p>\n
He received 62 votes (or 82.67 percent) from the 75 ballots
\nsubmitted by City Council members in a plenary meeting.<\/p>\n
If everything goes well, outgoing Governor Surjadi Soedirdja
\nwill hand over his duty to the eighth governor, Sutiyoso, next
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
Before Sutiyoso's victory, The Jakarta Post reporters asked a
\nnumber of people about their views and hopes for the city's next
\ngovernor, whose term will end in the next millennium.<\/p>\n
Here are some excerpts from the interviews:<\/p>\n
Rusdi, one of more than 1,000 fire victims from Pademangan
\nBarat, North Jakarta, said: \"I want a governor who cares and is
\nnot ruthless with the ordinary people.<\/p>\n
I hate when the city administration makes decisions based on
\nwho is powerful and who is not.<\/p>\n
If there is a new governor, I hope he will protect the
\nresidents from unjust action.<\/p>\n
For me, I want the new governor to save us and give us our
\nhomes back. That's all.\"<\/p>\n
Outgoing Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said: \"The next Jakarta
\ngovernor should give attention to the continuation of several
\nmega projects which have become the obsession of many Jakartans.<\/p>\n
Among the projects are the 2,700 reclamation works along North
\nJakarta Bay, the proposed construction of the Blok M-Kota subway,
\nthe refurbishment of Monas Park and Jl. MH Thamrin -- one of the
\ncity's main streets -- and the development of more mini
\nsupermarkets around the city.<\/p>\n
The selected governor should also possess these general
\nattributes: consistency in implementing policies; be strict when
\ndishing out punishment and be aware of the consequences of his
\nactions.<\/p>\n
In the 21st century, Jakarta will face bigger problems,
\nrelating to population, housing, the workforce, transportation,
\nsanitation and the environment.\"<\/p>\n
Clementino Dos Reis Amaral, a member of the National
\nCommission on Human Rights, said: \"I hope that the new governor
\ncan order mayors and other district heads in the city to study
\nPresidential Decree No. 55\/1993 on land appropriation, which
\nstipulates that every land appropriation should be done without
\nany coercion and land owners must be invited to take part in
\ndiscussions about a plan.<\/p>\n
We've learned that mayors and district heads here have no idea
\nabout the presidential decree. They often violate the decree.<\/p>\n
It seems the government officials only work for private
\ndevelopers who want to take over land.<\/p>\n
About 90 percent of Jakartans visiting the commission office
\nare complaining about the unfair treatment they received from the
\ncity in regard to land appropriation and eviction.<\/p>\n
We hope the new governor won't be too bored when it comes to
\nreading the huge number of letters complaining about the issue
\nlater.\"<\/p>\n
Councilor Rusjdi Hamka, of the United Development Party (PPP),
\nsaid: \"I wish Sutiyoso success in carrying out his duties. I
\nbelieve he can do the job well due to his background.<\/p>\n
I think that Jakarta still needs a governor with a military
\nbackground because this city has complex problems. And the
\nsituation in Indonesia is more or less the same: the military
\nstill plays a strong role in society.<\/p>\n
But don't worry. There will be a time when civilians can have
\ntheir turn at being a governor.\"<\/p>\n
Masri, a senior trader at Petojo market in Central Jakarta,
\nsaid: \"I hope the new governor can give greater attention to poor
\npeople, who have been pushed around by businessmen who act in
\ncollusion with city officials.<\/p>\n
That's why many people see Jakarta as a place that favors only
\nthe rich and those businessmen.\"<\/p>\n
Second Sergeant Liliek Lestari, a city policewoman, said: \"As
\na resident, I do hope that the next governor can stop one of the
\ncity's chronic problems: the routine repairs of several
\nfacilities and installations on the streets.<\/p>\n
Everybody always asks why so many streets need to be repaired
\nfrom year to year. There must be a more effective way to make the
\nrepairs. Then the city could use the money to help poor
\nJakartans.<\/p>\n
I also hope the governor can reduce the number of street
\nbeggars in the city which, in turn, could improve its image as a
\ncapital city.\"<\/p>\n
Student Djamilah, of University of Indonesia, said: \"The new
\ngovernor must have a strong standpoint and the courage to obey
\nthe rules. For instance, he should not be easily tempted into
\ngiving approval to certain parties just because they are
\npowerful.<\/p>\n
He has to side with the little people. And, of course, manage
\nto cut the complicated bureaucracy and administrative procedures
\nthat burden the public.<\/p>\n
I hope with a new governor, residents will get sufficient
\npublic facilities and, especially for me, I want a more
\ncomfortable train.<\/p>\n
I do not mind if the governor comes from the military or is a
\ncivilian as long as he has good qualities.\"<\/p>\n
Sociologist Paulus Wirutomo, of University of Indonesia, said:
\n\"The most important thing for the new governor is that he
\ncontinues the strategic plans that have been implemented by his
\npredecessor.<\/p>\n
He must not make any surprise moves that have not yet been
\nproved. If he did, I'm afraid the city would have a back-and-
\nforth style of development.<\/p>\n
The strategic plan has been well prepared by the
\nadministration and experts following long studies, analysis and
\nresearch.<\/p>\n
So please, don't throw the strategic plan away. It's been a
\nhard and complicated process.\"<\/p>\n
Political researcher Mahrus Irsyam said: \"The new governor
\nshould have a military background and understand Jakarta's
\nstrategic position as the country's capital.<\/p>\n
He or she should be able to keep political conditions stable.
\nIt's almost impossible to appoint civilians as governor because
\nit will be difficult for him to quickly handle disorders.<\/p>\n
A military-trained governor could handle disorders immediately
\ndue to his links with the military. He could also approach the
\npublic without being directly connected to the military.<\/p>\n
If appointed, Sutiyoso should find the best and most flexible
\napproach to deal with Jakartans.<\/p>\n
Jakartans are unique, if we let them exist too freely they'll
\nbecome uncontrollable. If we press them too hard it will cause
\ndisorder. So, he should find the right 'recipe' for Jakartans.\"
\n(ste\/jun\/07\/cst\/bsr)<\/p>",
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