No popular power<\/p>\n
Sometimes as Jakartans we feel ourselves to be residents of a
\nmetropolitan city. But when we look at the public facilities,
\nJakarta is much left behind compared with the world's
\nmetropolises. Sidewalks are mostly occupied by vendors or
\nsometimes there are no sidewalks at all. Public toilets are rare
\nand if there are around, they are filthy and stink.<\/p>\n
Worse still is public transportation. It is really torturing
\nto travel by public transportation, particularly by bus. The
\nbuses are not fully road-worthy and the passengers are packed
\ninside like sardines. Even in air-conditioned buses, the
\nsituation is the same, especially during rush hours.<\/p>\n
Complaints are hardly ever responded to. More likely you get a
\nthreat: You don't like it? Get off. But must we stay away from
\nthe office just because of bad buses or misbehaving bus crew?<\/p>\n
Also in the spotlight is the alteration in the designation of
\na place. Kelapa Gading residents have lodged a protest against
\nthe change in the designation of social and public facilities or
\noffice houses into apartments.<\/p>\n
We have learned before that certain areas in Menteng,
\nKebayoran and Kemang have undergone a change in their designation
\ninto a business area while in fact they were designated as a
\nresidential area. The result is confusion.<\/p>\n
Finally, there is a revision because the original environment
\ncannot be re-obtained. The old occupants suffer because of the
\npresence of a lot of passing cars, pollution, traffic jams or a
\nlack of ground water.<\/p>\n
How does the Jakarta provincial administration respond to
\nthese complaints about a change in designation? Projects must go
\non because the regional administration has the authority and
\nbecause the residents have no right to stop the project.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the power holders hear the people's complaints but are
\nyet to be moved to take sides with the people.<\/p>\n
-- Warta Kota, Jakarta.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-popular-power-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }