Sutiyoso's one achievement<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso again made a controversial move when
\nhe ordered the area under the Pasar Pagi flyover in West Jakarta
\nto be developed into a shopping complex.<\/p>\n
The construction of 88 semi-permanent kiosks under the flyover
\nlinking Jl. Perniagaan and Jl. Asemka Jembatan Batu has drawn
\ncriticism. As part of the administration's efforts to clear out
\nroadside vendors, who have contributed to traffic congestion in
\nthe capital, this decision only reflects the administration's
\nlack of seriousness in, and commitment to, managing traffic in
\nthe teeming city.<\/p>\n
The city officials might have forgotten that the Pasar Pagi
\nflyover was constructed in order to ease traffic, and once the
\nkiosks are operational, traffic around the area will become worse
\nthan it was before. Thus, while existing traffic problems are
\nneglected, a decision is made to compound the traffic even
\nfurther.<\/p>\n
An integrated plan on traffic and ground transportation has
\nnever been drawn up to smooth out the flow of traffic, as this
\nyear's developments have shown. Delivering promises and rhetoric
\nto remedy the traffic have apparently become the best actions
\nSutiyoso's administration can take, and clearing the city's roads
\nof illegally parked cars and roadside vendors has become the main
\noperation for authorities.<\/p>\n
From his first term in office in 1997 until he was reelected
\ngovernor this year, Sutiyoso has never managed to get the job
\ndone, and the Pasar Pagi flyover saga is just one of the many
\ncontroversial maneuvers made by Sutiyoso and his administration
\nin 2002.<\/p>\n
The most recent contentious policy was the National Monument
\n(Monas) park beautification project, which includes a plan to
\nrelease deer in the area. The Rp 80 billion Monas project looks
\nsilly to many who believe that flood control projects must be
\ngiven top priority, as does another prodigal project, the Rp 14
\nbillion renovation of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and
\nfountain.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso and the administration have been too stubborn to
\nlearn their lessons from the severe flooding which claimed
\nseveral lives and crippled the city economy early this year.<\/p>\n
The city did nothing significant when the citizens were
\nstruggling to survive the consequences of the flood. After the
\nflood came only rhetoric, while proper anticipation of fresh
\nfloods, which may occur early next year, has yet to be made.<\/p>\n
So what has the Jakarta administration achieved in 2002?<\/p>\n
It is not easy to give a big up thumbs-up to Sutiyoso and his
\nteam. Problems which have lingered for years, such as the
\ndisappearance of green areas, have yet to be dealt with properly.
\nThe city administration have proven themselves incapable of
\nreturning areas supposed to be used as open spaces to their
\noriginal function.<\/p>\n
The luxurious Plaza Senayan and the controversial Hotel Mulia,
\nalso in the Senayan area, are just two examples of the spatial or
\nzoning plan violation.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso has obviously also failed to uphold his
\nanticorruption jargon. According to the latest records, there are
\ncurrently 209 cases of alleged malfeasance involving institutions
\nand offices under the auspices of City Hall.<\/p>\n
Another common mistake may be Sutiyoso's adamant exclusion of
\nthe public in the decision-making process. The people have never
\nbeen consulted in a project planned for their district, despite
\nthe fact that the project may disturb and interrupt the people's
\nlives.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Sutiyoso has also turned a blind eye towards
\nhis subordinates, allowing them to violate the capital's zoning
\nplan, which recommends the development of railway track as part
\nof ground transportation system, instead of the current 12.9-
\nkilometer busway project.<\/p>\n
Judging from the fact that none of the city's crucial problems
\nand issues have been properly and correctly handled and resolved,
\nwe may say that the only achievement Sutiyoso has made has been
\nin winning the gubernatorial seat for a second term.<\/p>\n
Jakartans can only hope that Sutiyoso's term of office will
\npass soon enough, and that a new governor with a noble vision and
\nmission will be elected by the people.<\/p>\n
We need a governor who can manage the metropolis of Jakarta in
\nthe right way and direction to meet the modern demands of
\ndevelopment.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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