Badrul eyes green spaces for houses
Badrul eyes green spaces for houses
As a former Depok mayor, whose term ended in May, Badrul Kamal
has reason to believe he is the strongest mayoral candidate.
His five-year term gave Badrul plenty of opportunities to meet
with public figures and residents.
"Of course I have an advantage, because Depok people know me
better. But it is not my only strength," said the 50-year old
former bureaucrat, who is running with Syihabuddin Ahmad, a
cleric and member of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Badrul, who was nominated by the Golkar Party and the National
Awakening Party (PKB), claims to have developed Depok into a
prominent residential area, an education center and a commercial
and service city.
He said his administration had worked to increase the
municipal budget from about Rp 80 billion (US$8.42 million) in
1999 to Rp 488 billion in 2005.
Badrul promised if he was elected he would pay serious
attention to the development of urban infrastructure,
particularly the roads.
"The development of inner-city toll roads would significantly
ease traffic congestion. The toll roads would function as
shortcuts for motorists," he said.
Attracting investors is another of Badrul's priorities. He
said his administration would open up access to those interested
in residential and commercial facilities.
He said the two sectors supported each other as newcomers to
Depok not only needed to buy houses but would contribute
to the local economy.
Badrul denied Depok was already overcrowded with housing and
shops. He said there were still many green areas that could be
converted into residential and commercial premises.
He said, according to the Depok master plan 2010, developed
areas comprised up to 50 percent of Depok's some 20,000 hectares.
Badrul said he would prioritize public services, education,
health services, the environment and job creation.
To increase revenue, Badrul said he would establish more city-
owned enterprises.
Currently Depok has two city-owned enterprises: toll road
operator PD Pradas Marga and tap water operator PD Pradas Tirta.
"The enterprises are expected to become new financial
resources because we cannot rely on our traditional income like
taxes and fees," Badrul said.
In the course of his career, Badrul has held several key
positions, including district head, secretary to the Bogor
administration and head of the Bogor Public Works Agency.
Badrul Kamal was born in Bogor, Dec. 20, 1945
Recent education: Satyagama University, West Jakarta, in 1999.
Organizations: the Depok Soccer Team, the Golkar Party, Student
Senate of the Academy of Local Administrations (APDN).
Syihabuddin Ahmad was born in Bogor, Dec. 7, 1949
Recent education: Hasyim Ashari University, Jombang, East Java,
in 1977.
Organizations: the Jakarta Council, the Cimanggis chapter of the
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), member of Nahdlatul Ulama.