Campaign to increase public participation

Campaign to increase public participation

JAKARTA (JP): In line with the inception of regional autonomy,
the city administration launched on Monday a 10-month campaign in
five subdistricts aimed at increasing public participation in
community development.

Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the initiative is expected
to promote more transparent governance, said Bambang Rustanto,
chairman of Kesuma Multiguna, the non-government organization
coordinating the program.

The campaign will take place in Gedong subdistrict in East
Jakarta, Pasar Minggu subdistrict in South Jakarta, Kemanggisan
subdistrict in West Jakarta, Kamal Muara subdistrict in North
Jakarta and Kramat Senen subdistrict in Central Jakarta.

A total of Rp 1 billion (US$105,263) in funding will be
distributed based on the needs of each subdistrict, Bambang said.

He added that most of the selected subdistricts received funds
from the government-sponsored social safety net (JPS) program in
the previous year, but some of the money was improperly used due
to lack of public participation in determining its distribution.

A Kemanggisan subdistrict administration staff member, Jepy
Riyadi, said a community council would be formed to determine the
use of the funds.

He revealed that one third of the Rp 61.5 million in funding
the subdistrict received under the JPS program was unpaid,
particularly funds distributed in the form of soft loans for
small entrepreneurs.

Under the new scheme, he added, one initiative likely to
utilize the financial assistance to improve the health and
nutrition of at least 165 children.

He said the program would also involve housewives and traders.
(07)