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.