Accountability speech needs 'clear criteria'

JAKARTA (JP): Experts and officials agreed on Thursday that councillors must establish a set of objective and valid criteria to assess the annual accountability speeches by regional administration heads.

The majority of city councillors rejected Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's accountability speech on July 20 on the grounds that he had failed to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) within the administration and establish an orderly and peaceful capital.

Speaking in a panel discussion at the City Council, deputy to state minister of regional autonomy Afan Gaffar said the annual speeches were progress reports which had no political consequences.

"If city councillors wish to reject a speech, they must have strong and objective grounds rather than certain political purposes," he told those present at the discussion.

Other speakers included noted constitutional law expert Harun Alrasyid, Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid and sociologist Paulus Wirutomo.

Afan suggested the councillors formulate a query list to asses the performance of regional heads.

"City councillors can assess a governor's achievement in the social sector, for instance, by analyzing indicators such as social service statistics and juvenile problems," he said.

Paulus shared Afan's opinion, but criticized councillors for failing to set clear parameters before rejecting the governor's speech.

Harun said he was amazed at such a controversy, citing that everything was already regulated by Law No. 22/1999 on Regional Autonomy.

No care

Meanwhile, Nurcholish said Jakarta residents did not care whether the speech was accepted or rejected.

"Jakartans are waiting for development programs, which will hopefully remedy their ills. They will support any administration capable of providing economic certainty for them," he said.

Although most of the councillors rejected his speech, Sutiyoso was given 30 days to revise it, as regulated by law. He is scheduled to deliver a redrafted speech on Aug. 20 before a City Council plenary meeting.

If this speech is also rejected, the council can recommend to the central government that they replace Sutiyoso.

The City Council has also made its own ruling, which stipulates that even if the revised speech is rejected, the governor has a final chance in a public hearing organized by the council

The speakers at the seminar, however, said that a hearing of this nature lacked legal grounds.

"The elected city councillors have already acted according to the wishes of their constituents. No public hearing is required," Afan told The Jakarta Post after the discussion.

Similarly, Paulus said a public hearing could not be held as a formal mechanism to remove Sutiyoso.

"It's the authority of the city council. We must have legal certainty in this matter," he said.

"However, a public hearing could be held periodically to gather the opinions and wishes of Jakarta residents and experts, to be used as input for city officials and councillors," he added, while emphasizing that such a forum could only serve as moral stimulus.

Amir Hamzah of Jakarta Governance Watch agreed, saying the hearing lacked legal basis.

"Imagine if the council rejects Sutiyoso's speech again, while the public accepts his performance in the hearing. Then the council's decision would be destroyed," he said.

"If this happens, the councillors will no longer be legitimate and have to quit," he added.

Amir said a formal public hearing could only and should only be held to help the administration during policy-making.

Money politics

In a separate discussion on Thursday, speakers feared that city councillors would endorse Sutiyoso's speech, bearing in mind the rumors of money politics at the council.

"Many councillors had nothing before they became legislative members. They now have companies of their own," Muhammad Budyatna, a political professor at the University of Indonesia, told discussion participants at Gedong Joeang building on Jl. Menteng Raya, Central Jakarta.

"People will be suspicious if councillors decide to endorse the speech after initially rejecting it. There is not enough time for Sutiyoso to make fundamental changes within a month," he added.

Political observer Ichsanuddin Noorsy said Sutiyoso might do everything to ensure councillors endorse his speech.

"It could be through money politics, or promising projects or positions in his administration," he told reporters after the discussion.

"As a former city military commander, Sutiyoso also has good relationships with businesspeople and public figures who can put pressure on the City Council," he added. (jaw/lup/nvn)