An unstrategic plan

An unstrategic plan

Big projects begin with dreams, some say. But this slogan is
apparently not true for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who has just
revealed his latest dream.

This is to develop Jakarta in an idealistic manner via the
2002-2007 Strategic Plan, which addresses eight major issues, the
draft of which he presented to the City Council plenary session
on Tuesday. The council is expected to approve the plan so that
it can become a set of bylaws.

Frankly speaking, the 250-page draft contains nothing special
except for the idealistic dreams of an official bombarded by
criticism for lacking vision and initiative.

A councillor has said that the Strategic Plan is too
prescriptive.

The plan contains prescriptions and ideals, without the
concrete steps to achieve them.

It is clear that Sutiyoso has simply listed and recorded all
the problems in a comprehensive manner. What he terms the matrix
of problems, however, does not promise any clear action to
resolve them.

Each matrix has four columns: "the course and the policy",
"the strategy" (which comprises normative steps), the "program"
(which is a normative plan) and "indicators of performance" as a
result of the plan's implementation, which is no more than a list
of ideals.

In short, Sutiyoso has been very capable of making an
inventory of the problems, but fails to explain how the plan's
noble intentions can be achieved.

Take the matrix on natural resources and the environment. "The
course and the policy" is managing natural resources and
enhancing efforts on conservation, rehabilitation and the saving
of natural resources by the application of environmentally
friendly technology, especially in mining and energy, and in
water in residential areas.

"The strategy" is to optimize efforts on conservation,
rehabilitation and saving of natural resources through adequate
information to the public, improving coordination among concerned
institutions in charge of underground utilities and improving law
enforcement in the case of improper and excessive use of
groundwater.

"The programs (on groundwater preservation) are developing the
sources (of groundwater) and indicators of performance are:
first, better control of the use of groundwater by government
institutions, businesses and the public; second, increasing the
level of groundwater; third, increasing groundwater deposition in
line with the increase in the number of artesian wells, injection
wells and the construction of reservoirs; fourth, availability of
data and information on groundwater relating to the (annual) dry
season."

People might be puzzled after reading one of the many matrices
in the draft Strategic Plan. They give no clear indication on how
to implement all the dreams and promises. Sutiyoso also fails to
mention the proposed target beneficiaries of the plan and the
deadline.

We are curious to know what Sutiyoso really means by
"developing groundwater sources" as the only program to optimally
use natural resources (groundwater in this case). Isn't it a very
straightforward issue that a first-year high school student could
easily understand?

In this way the Army lieutenant general -- again -- has failed
to demonstrate his ability to promote improvement of the city,
despite the fact that he now holds the post of governor for a
second (consecutive) term, from 2002 to 2007.

With the Strategic Plan Sutiyoso merely proves himself to be a
"publicity seeker", demonstrating his increasing unpopularity
since his reelection campaign in August this year.

Councillor Haim Hamidi of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has
said that Sutiyoso deliberately framed the Strategic Plan in such
a way as to avoid running the risk of its being rejected by the
council.

If so, Sutiyoso's Strategic Plan reminds us of the systematic
Five-Year Development Plans(Repelita) produced under former
president Soeharto.

Using all the powers at his disposal, Soeharto managed to
introduce his wide-ranging Repelita, which became an effective
political tool for him and his supporters to retain both power
and position. The first Repelita was followed by the second and
then by the third, etc., until he resigned in 1998.

The ball is now in the hands of the City Council. We suggest
that the council be patient and careful in studying the draft.
Sutiyoso has said that revision is still possible; therefore, it
is imperative that the council study the draft, despite the fact
that Sutiyoso has claimed its preparation has involved experts,
intellectuals and scholars from a variety of universities.

The council must be extra-careful before it approves the draft
to become a set of bylaws. We hope that the plan produced by
Sutiyoso will not lead us deeper into more uncertainty.
Jakartans, fed up by economic, security, social and legal
uncertainties, might simply go "insane" at Sutiyoso's strategic,
or unstrategic, plan.