Many criticize transportation bylaw<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Transportation experts expressed pessimism that the newly
\napproved bylaw on city transportation would not be a strong
\nframework to create an efficient transportation system in the
\ncity as it gives too much authority to the governor, opening the
\ndoor to further abuse of power.<\/p>\n
Jack Sumabrata, a transportation expert from the University of
\nIndonesia (UI), said the bylaw was disappointing because the city
\nneeded an independent and powerful body to rectify the chaotic
\ntransportation system in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the failure to create comprehensive urban
\ntransportation regulations would only worsen current conditions.<\/p>\n
\"The City Council should be blamed for its inability to
\novercome the uncontrolled transportation problems in the city,\"
\nJack told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A similar comment came from coordinator of the Urban
\nTransportation Society Azas Tigor Nainggolan. Tigor insisted that
\nhis organization would demand a judicial review of the bylaw.<\/p>\n
The bylaw, approved on Monday, covers traffic and land, rail,
\nriver and ferry transportation. The council and Jakarta Governor
\nSutiyoso boasted that the new regulation will accelerate the
\ngovernment's efforts to provide affordable, efficient and clean
\ntransportation in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately the bylaw itself only touches general aspects
\nand practically gives the governor a final say on everything. The
\ngovernor is authorized to issue 40 gubernatorial decrees to
\nsupport the bylaw.<\/p>\n
Tigor expressed concern that the governor was also authorized
\nto define the structure, working mechanism, and membership of the
\nCity Transportation Council (DTK). Transportation experts said
\nDTK should be an independent body and free from any external
\ninterventions.<\/p>\n
Tigor stressed the need for an independent and strong DTK so
\nthat it could resolve various problems on urban transportation.<\/p>\n
\"If everything is authorized by the governor, DTK will never
\nbecome an independent body although its members may come from
\nvarious parties,\" Tigor told the Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Based on the bylaw, the DTK membership will comprise
\ntransportation experts, scholars, officials from the City Land
\nTransportation Agency, police, public transportation operators
\nand non-governmental organizations.<\/p>\n
The council should be established before June next year.<\/p>\n
Tigor said that his organization would study closely the
\ncontent of the bylaw and it planned to propose a judicial review
\nso that there would be a possibility of revising the bylaw, which
\nwas vital in developing a transportation system in the city.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jack also expressed concern that the bylaw failed
\nto stipulate vehicular emission standards for private cars
\nbecause private cars contribute 70 percent of air pollutants in
\nurban areas.<\/p>\n
According to Jack, inclusion of such a ruling in the bylaw
\nwould significantly reduce air pollution in the city.<\/p>\n
Environmentalists have been waiting for the bylaw on emission
\nlevels as it would facilitate the implementation of Gubernatorial
\nDecree No. 1041\/2000 on the emission standards for vehicles in
\nthe city.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/many-criticize-transportation-bylaw-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}