Activists reject Sutiyoso as city governor
Activists reject Sutiyoso as city governor
Damar Harsanto and Novan Imam Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Activists rejected on Thursday the result of the gubernatorial
election in which Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was reelected for the
2002-2007 term by 47 of 84 councillors, in view of Sutiyoso's bad
record and his status as a suspect in the bloody attack on the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters in Jl. Diponegoro,
Central Jakarta in 1996.
"Sutiyoso has a poor track record as Jakarta Governor from
1997 to 2002, including his failure to cope with the floods in
the capital early this year as well as his controversial eviction
policy (of slum dwellers between 2001 and 2002)," said Uli
Parulian of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute.
Uli remarked that Lt. Gen. (ret) Sutiyoso did not deserve to
be governor due to his involvement in the bloody July 27 1996
attack on PDI headquarters while he was serving as city military
commander.
Uli also rejected Fauzi Bowo who was paired with Sutiyoso as
vice governor saying that Fauzi was a member of Golkar Party,
which is closely linked to the corrupt New Order.
"The public must reject the result of the gubernatorial
election and instead, hold a new election which is conducted
directly by the people," Uli said.
Wardah Hafidz, chairwoman of the Urban Poor Consortium also
called on the public to reject Sutiyoso's reelection due to his
hostile policy toward the urban poor.
"Sutiyoso's priority programs, including his policy to limit
Jakarta's population, will lead to more violent evictions and
demolition of property to keep the poor people out of the city,"
said Wardah.
Wardah said such a policy was against human rights and
constitutional rights.
"Instead of admitting his failure to manage urban poverty,
Sutiyoso has shifted the blame to urban migration and the poor as
the main cause for deteriorating conditions in the capital,"
Wardah said.
Recalling massive opposition from many groups of Jakarta
residents to Wednesday's election, Wardah remarked that
Sutiyoso's programs would encounter greater opposition from the
public.
However, Wardah said that she would not stage a rally against
Sutiyoso's reelection.
She was among tens of thousands people who tried to stop
Wednesday's election in protest of Sutiyoso's nomination.
The election was marred by violence following a clash between
demonstrators and police officers. At least 25 protesters were
injured during the fighting, while 15 others were poisoned by
food given by an unidentified man.
Urban observer, Marco Kusumawijaya also warned that Sutiyoso's
plan to close Jakarta to migrants from the provinces would be a
bad precedence for other big cities.
"Other big cities will follow suit and where should the poor
people go?" Marco blasted, adding that such a policy would create
serious social conflict.
Rasdullah, a becak (pedicab) driver who ran as a candidate in
the gubernatorial election also contended that Sutiyoso's
reelection would worsen poor people's lives.
"Sutiyoso is notorious for his violence toward poor people.
Many more friends of mine will be victims of his hostile policy
toward the poor," Rasdullah lamented.
Sutiyoso revealed on Wednesday that he would prioritize his
programs including restricting urban migration; eradicating
corruption, collusion, and nepotism; and improving education and
health services.
He also promised to improve public transportation and provide
low-cost apartments.
Meanwhile City Hall looked quiet on Thursday and Sutiyoso's
whereabouts was unknown. On Tuesday, his whereabouts was also not
known.