New plan on Kemang draws mixed reaction<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city's decision to allow business owners in
\nKemang, South Jakarta, who already possess legal permits to
\ncontinue operating has drawn a mixed reaction from councilors and
\nbusinesspeople.<\/p>\n
Several councilors told The Jakarta Post they regretted the
\nmove and asked the city to review it for the sake of the
\nresidents, but another councilor along with Kemang businesspeople
\npraised the decision.<\/p>\n
The head of the United Development Party faction, Achmad
\nSuaidy, and the head of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\nfaction, Lukman Mokoginta called on the administration to convert
\nthe area back into the residential neighborhood it used to be.<\/p>\n
Suaidy worried that the new decision would affect local
\nresidents who first occupied the Kemang area.<\/p>\n
\"The administration, therefore, should approach the local
\npeople first to ascertain whether they agree with the plan,\" he
\nsuggested.<\/p>\n
According to Suaidy, the residents have complained to him many
\ntimes about the negative impacts of the businesses in their
\nsurroundings such as traffic congestion, missing sidewalks and
\nincreased noise.<\/p>\n
Suaidy's opinion was shared by Lukman. The PDI member said the
\ncity's U-turn on Kemang would be a bad precedent in the future.<\/p>\n
\"It provides great possibilities that land use appropriation
\nin other areas in the city can also be changed later,\"he said.<\/p>\n
He therefore suggested the administration first discuss the
\nplan with the City Council and share those ideas with the Kemang
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
He also reminded the administration to respect the city plan
\nas guidance for all policies on land use.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't mean that land use can't be changed but if it has
\nto, there should be an intensive study in accordance with the
\ncity plan,\" Lukman said.<\/p>\n
The decision to allow businesses in Kemang to return to normal
\nwas announced late last week by Governor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said the decision would soon be issued in a
\ngubernatorial decree. He, however, gave no specific date.<\/p>\n
The decision, the governor said, was in line with the
\nmunicipality's plan to develop Kemang into a model urban village
\nin South Jakarta as proposed in a six-month study on the area.<\/p>\n
He said all business operators who had legal permits for their
\nbusinesses may therefore continue to operate.<\/p>\n
\"But, for those who have none and have violated the
\nregulations, their businesses have to be permanently closed down
\nas soon as possible,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The decision received applause from councilor Ali Wongso
\nSinaga of the dominant Golkar faction.<\/p>\n
\"I believe the decision was made to give Kemang people, which
\ninclude businesspeople, employees and residents -- who rented
\ntheir houses -- a more prosperous life.<\/p>\n
\"On a different note, the city would also enjoy tax revenue
\nfrom the businesses,\" said Ali, who is head of Commission D for
\nDevelopment Affairs.<\/p>\n
Ali believed the administration also considered the area's
\n\"ability\" to accommodate unemployment during the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
\"So, why don't we let the businesses exist there?\" he argued.<\/p>\n
Ali was strongly supported by the local businesses.<\/p>\n
The manager of Chi-chi's Mexican restaurant, Ali Jusmono,
\ncalled the city's plan a fair decision.<\/p>\n
\"If the study recommends that buildings here should be
\ncomplete with green areas or pedestrian walks, we can arrange it
\nwith our neighbors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jusmono hoped the municipality could also reveal more
\ntransparent details over the decision.<\/p>\n
Coterie restaurant supervisor, Freddy Kotambunan, said the
\nadministration decision was greeted warmly by his employees.<\/p>\n
\"They feel relieved as the decision guarantees their jobs,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Atiek Yunaeni, a director of Articia architectural and
\ninternational fabrics agent, said: \"We will face a new problem of
\nunemployment during the current economic woes if the
\nadministration closes our businesses.\"<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said that he had
\nbeen ordered by the governor to implement the plan.<\/p>\n
The first phase of the rearrangement plan began last Thursday,
\nhe said, and the mayoralty had been closely monitoring businesses
\nin Kemang and consistently applying the policy not to issue any
\nnew business permits.<\/p>\n
\"I think the decision is the best solution possible. I think
\nall related parties can cooperate well, so there will be no
\nproblems,\" Pardjoko said.<\/p>\n
\"I can't say much about this now. But I guarantee that my
\noffice will work as hard as we can to complete the first phase of
\nthe program,\" he added. (edt\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-plan-on-kemang-draws-mixed-reaction-1447893297",
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