Anniversary a moment for introspection: Surjadi
Anniversary a moment for introspection: Surjadi
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja urged city officials
yesterday to use Jakarta's 470th anniversary as a moment of
introspection.
He said officials should consider whether they have provided
services needed by the public.
"Providing services sounds simple, but if conducted seriously,
results can be very impressive," Surjadi said at a press
conference on the city's anniversary yesterday.
But communication between officials and the public was still a
problem, he said.
"The problem now is how to get officials and the public to
'tune in' to each other, to make sure both use the same language"
to avoid conflicts, he said.
Miscommunication, which has the potential to lead to conflict,
he said, was in such policies as vendors taking up street space
and people living on river banks.
The city, he said, was gradually achieving its goal of moving
away from industries.
"Sixty-five percent of businesses here are now in the service
sector," he said.
However problems, like traffic congestion, faced with a
limited ability to solve them, he said, could cause a decline in
investment.
"We don't want that to happen to Jakarta," Surjadi said.
In the future, he said, the municipality will have a subway
system and other means of mass transportation.
"In the meantime, we will tolerate the existence of other
public transport, such as three-wheeled bemo vehicles."
Surjadi reiterated his disappointment of recent strikes,
blaming them on people spreading rumors on additional buses.
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso had also said
drivers, fearing additional buses to their routes, instigated the
strikes.
Events
Events across the city to highlight Jakarta's anniversary will
mostly be held at recreational parks, like Ancol Dreamland Park
in North Jakarta and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East
Jakarta.
In Kemayoran at the Jakarta Fairgrounds, organizers will
display today the "longest satay in the world".
The fair will also perform a myriad of Chinese lanterns until
July 13. The lanterns are designed attractively, such as in the
form of dinosaurs, the National Monument and the Al Azhar Mosque.
In Ancol, there will be an elephants parade, a fireworks
display and music performances by popular entertainers.
At Miniature Park, music performances will mostly feature
dangdut singers.
The city's five mayoralties will also perform several
entertainments performing well-known singers.
On Monday, the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta will start performing
movie shows until June 25 as part of Jakarta Festival 1997.
Among the movies played were Cintaku di Rumah Susun from
Indonesia, The Sting of Death from Japan, and the Eternal Empire
from South Korea. (ste)