The de facto governor<\/p>\n
Given the poor record of the Jakarta administration over the
\nlast five years, we can almost certainly expect more of the same
\nnow that the incumbent, Sutiyoso, has been reelected by the
\ncity's legislative council as governor for the next five years.<\/p>\n
That is hardly good news, considering the problems and
\ndiscomfort that we have all had to endure, thanks largely to the
\ninept, if not incompetent, administration. The impossible traffic
\ncongestion, recurring and worsening floods, deterioration in most
\npublic services and public facilities and a breakdown in law and
\norder are just some of the problems that those who of us live in
\nthis city are having to put up with.<\/p>\n
The Council, ignoring massive public protest opposing
\nSutiyoso's reelection, has made sure that Jakarta has a governor
\nwho may be constitutionally legitimate, but who has neither
\npopular support nor the moral legitimacy to lead. The violent
\nprotests outside the Council building, while the Council members
\nelected Sutiyoso, are bound to leave a sour aftertaste.<\/p>\n
It's not that we have not been down this road before. At the
\nnational level, we endured more than three decades of Soeharto's
\ntyranny until 1998. He too ruled with constitutional legitimacy
\nbut without popular support. Our lives went on then, and there is
\nno reason to think that they would not go on now with five more
\nyears of Sutiyoso. Like the 30 years of Soeharto that most of us
\nin this country endured, many of us in Jakarta can look forward
\nto five more miserable years under Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
His reelection, in spite of his unpopularity, is another
\nglaring example that collusion between members of our political
\nelite is still widespread. And this is collusion at the highest
\nlevel, involving President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
By defying public opinion, including that of their own rank-
\nand-file who opposed Sutiyoso's reelection, Megawati and her
\nparty have made a complete mockery of her own government's stated
\ncampaign to eradicate KKN, the Indonesian acronym for corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism. At least, next time they talk about
\nfighting KKN, we will know that it is simply empty rhetoric.<\/p>\n
There can be no explanation for Megawati's insistence on
\nretaining Sutiyoso as governor other than the concurrence of
\ntheir political interests. That, and the likelihood of money
\npolitics, alleged, but harder to prove. Whatever the reasons
\nbehind this collusion, the Jakarta governorship election has
\nconfirmed public doubt over Megawati's commitment to ending KKN,
\nwhich she promised to do upon her election last year.<\/p>\n
From the very beginning to its conclusion, the Jakarta
\ngovernorship election process was designed in such a way as to
\npreclude public participation. While we condemn the ugly violence
\nthat erupted on Wednesday outside the Council building, the
\nCouncil has a lot to answer for over that incident.<\/p>\n
For better or worse, we are now stuck with Sutiyoso. Once he
\nis formally installed by President Megawati, he will be, both de
\nfacto and de jure, the governor of Jakarta until 2007.<\/p>\n
But his lack of popularity, and the way he bulldozed his way
\npast public protest to get himself reelected, has estranged
\nhimself from the people he is supposed to serve. One of the first
\nthings he must do now, if his leadership is to have any chance of
\nbecoming effective at all, is to win public confidence.<\/p>\n
It is simply inconceivable that any of his policies can be
\neffective or even implemented at all unless he has the support of
\nthe people. The last thing we need now is a dysfunctional
\nadministration and a dysfunctional leadership, as inept and
\nincompetent as they may be.<\/p>\n
His critics too must accept that Sutiyoso will be governor for
\nthe next five years and give him a fair chance to lead the
\nadministration effectively. Critics, including the media,
\nhowever, should remain critical and prod the governor to do what
\nis required to make Jakarta a better place in which to live.<\/p>\n
Now that he has secured his post for the next five years,
\nSutiyoso should end all politicking, which has consumed so much
\nof his time and energy for most of the past year, and for once,
\nfocus on addressing the multiple and complex problems that have
\nmade Jakarta an almost unbearable place to live for many of us.<\/p>\n
A glimmer of hope is provided by the Council's simultaneous
\nelection of Fauzi Bowo as Sutiyoso's deputy. Fauzi's record is
\nnot exactly spotless, but having served as the Jakarta
\nadministration secretary, he brings administrative skills and
\ntechnical expertise into the new leadership, which, we hope,
\nmight just make up for some of Sutiyoso's shortcomings.<\/p>\n
On that note, we wish both Sutiyoso and Fauzi the best of luck
\nin leading the administration.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-de-facto-governor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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