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.