Monumental scandals<\/p>\n
Ada proyek, ada obyek (Where there's a project, there's money
\nto be made.) This cynical expression is very popular with
\nIndonesians, who believe that every project involves corruption.
\nTherefore, installation of the Rp 3.5-billion statue of Gen.
\nSoedirman on the main Central Jakarta thoroughfare has produced
\nnot only criticism but also suspicion of misappropriation.<\/p>\n
Environmentalists have criticized the city administration for
\nfelling at least eight trees to make room for the 4.5-ton statue.
\nThey say that policy makers made a decision in contradiction to
\nthe administration's determination to regreen the city.<\/p>\n
From an aesthetic point of view, the statue has also provoked
\ncriticism. Many critics say that the statue is unsuitably located
\n-- which could perhaps be taken as an indication that very few
\nsuitable spots for statues remain in this teeming metropolis.<\/p>\n
As for the possibility of malfeasance, it was the Jakarta
\nDevelopment Watch (Jadewa), a non-governmental organization
\n(NGO), that alleged fraud in the statue project. The plan
\nreportedly originated with the Soedirman Foundation, which
\nbelongs to the family of the late Gen. Soedirman, the revered
\nfirst commander of the Indonesian army. On that basis the
\nfoundation established a company to construct the statue. Based
\non the agreement, the company paid Rp 6.5 billion to the Jakarta
\nRevenue Agency to obtain a 10 meter (m) by 20 m advertising space
\nin the selected location.<\/p>\n
That was reported to be Rp 3.5 billion less than the official
\nprice of the lot -- a fact that led Jadewa to assume that the
\ncity administration had sacrificed that much money for the
\nproject without good reason. A previous deal, which granted the
\ncompany an 8 m by 16 m advertising space, drew more questions
\nfrom Jadewa.<\/p>\n
Priyo Handoko, executive secretary of Jadewa, said that Rp 3.5
\nbillion for construction of the statue was questionable, arguing
\nthat preliminary work would probably need Rp 16 million, Rp 150
\nmillion on the construction of the pedestal, Rp 1.698 billion on
\nconstruction of the statue, Rp 22 million on the surrounding park
\nand Rp 59 million on the official installation ceremony.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Parks Agency Maurits Napitupulu responded to
\nthe allegation by saying said that he was ready to clarify
\neverything concerning the project. While the public is waiting to
\nhear what is really going on behind the statue project, sculptor
\nSoenaryo said in Bandung that the statue cost "only" Rp 1.2
\nbillion, and that he had not yet received full payment.<\/p>\n
Whether or not fraud has taken place, the bottom line is that
\nthere has been a lack of transparency. The administration has not
\nbeen transparent in its policy making, especially with regard to
\nprojects that are vulnerable to corruption. The City Council,
\nwhich is expected to represent the public as a controlling body,
\nhas failed to perform well.<\/p>\n
Suspicions of fraud, corruption, misappropriation or whatever
\nit may be, are therefore widely taken for granted, given the many
\nirregularities that have been allowed to go unchecked for
\ndecades. The administration, for its part, has apparently become
\nimmune to criticism, and refuses to heed any allegations of
\nirregularity. Continued bribery at the vehicle test station, for
\nexample, has become public knowledge, with no one moving to put a
\nstop to the practice.<\/p>\n
Whenever a project that involves big money crops up, NGOs warn
\nof possible corruption, but the warnings have been useless. Since
\n2001, construction of the Islamic Center, on the plot where the
\nnotorious Kramat Tunggak red-light district in North Jakarta used
\nto stand, has been rife with rumors of corruption. It may be hard
\nto believe, but word has been going round that compensation was
\nreportedly paid twice over to property owners in the project.<\/p>\n
Financial reports on the renovation of Hotel Indonesia traffic
\ncircle as well as the beautification of the National Monument
\nsquare reportedly lacked transparency. The purchase of 20 garbage
\nincinerators has allegedly resulted in fraud, because so far only
\none incinerator is operational. Most recently, warnings of a
\npossible scam in the busway project were voiced by the NGO
\nJakarta Residents Forum (FAKTA).<\/p>\n
All these examples of alleged irregularity have been openly
\naired by critics. However, the city administration has yet to
\nrespond. It is time for administration officials to be more
\ntransparent. The approach to development must be adjusted to
\nincreasing demands for public participation in decision making.
\nIt is time for the public to become meaningfully involved in the
\ndevelopment process. After all, the public is the real
\nstakeholder in the city's development efforts.<\/p>\n
In the final analysis, it would be helpful for all parties
\ninvolved to keep the public well informed of anything the city
\nadministration does. Experience has taught us that, more often
\nthan not, suspicion and protest against the administration's
\npolicies are the result of reluctance by the authorities, or
\ntheir inability, to keep the public properly informed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/monumental-scandals-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}