Revocation of subdistrict council bylaw sought<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of nine non-governmental
\norganizations grouped under the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta)
\nstaged a rally at the City Council on Tuesday, demanding the
\nrevocation of City Bylaw No.5\/2000 on subdistrict council.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the group Azas Tigor Nainggolan told members of
\nthe City Council's Commission A for governmental affairs the
\nbylaw allowed the city administration to play a dominant role in
\nthe establishment of subdistrict councils and restricted public
\nparticipation instead.<\/p>\n
\"The regulation on the subdistrict councils should be more
\noriented toward people's empowerment,\" Nainggolan said.<\/p>\n
Subdistrict councils are new institutions designed to empower
\npeople at the grassroots level to participate in the development
\nof their own communities, as well as to control the activities of
\ntheir subdistrict administration.<\/p>\n
According to City Bylaw No. 5\/2000 on the establishment of the
\ncouncils, a member of a subdistrict council serves a five-year
\nterm. A council is to be made up of one representative from each
\ncommunity unit (RW). Normally, one RW oversees 10 neighborhood
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
Each subdistrict council member, representing a community in a
\nsubdistrict, would receive Rp 500,000 per month in \"honorary
\nremuneration\".<\/p>\n
The city administration will also provide each council Rp
\n200,000 (US$21) monthly for transportation allowances. There will
\nbe 265 subdistricts council across the city.<\/p>\n
A subdistrict council will also earn Rp 500,000 per month for
\nits meeting expenses.<\/p>\n
The funds to finance the operational costs of subdistrict
\ncouncils will be taken from the 2001 city budget.<\/p>\n
Nainggolan criticized the provision of operational funds for
\nfear that the money would deprive the subdistrict council members
\nof their independence in carrying out their jobs.<\/p>\n
He said the councillors should replace the bylaw with a new
\nregulation which gives more access for people's participation.<\/p>\n
\"The city administration should act as a facilitator, nothing
\nmore than that,\" Nainggolan added.<\/p>\n
Responding to the demand, chairman of the City Council
\nCommission A Binsar Tambunan said the council could not revoke
\nany regulation without proper procedure. (04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/revocation-of-subdistrict-council-bylaw-sought-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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