City enlists experts for development forum
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The city administration has set up a think tank consisting of experts from various disciplines to help the administration get a handle on urban problems.
The group of experts is called the Jakarta Care Forum.
"These experts will be my advisers in their own fields. I want clear direction in developing Jakarta," Governor Sutiyoso said after a morning coffee with the experts. "Their advice is needed to keep our development on track."
Sutiyoso said the experts would be provided an office at City Hall for them to work.
"The experts will only be in the office part-time as they have their own formal positions in other institutions.
"But the most important thing is that they will be able to have more substantial discussions with city officials," the governor said.
Economists, for example, will be able to provide suggestions to the head of the City Revenue Agency on how to generate more income, he said.
Sutiyoso said the experts would be given some remuneration as a sign of the city administration's gratification.
"We cannot give them large stipends but at least enough to cover their transportation fees," he said.
City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya emphasized that the experts' recommendations would not be binding.
Contacted separately, educator Arief Rachman told The Jakarta Post that all of the experts in the forum were taking a cautious stance toward the project, as it was still not clear what their rights, authority and responsibilities would be.
"We are still searching for a suitable mechanism to channel our expertise. But we all agree that every resident has to be aware of city development," he said.
Among the experts in the forum:
Ali Wongso (former city councillor), Arief Rachman (educator), Bambang Brodjonegoro (economist), Budi Tjahjati (regional planner), Hermawan Kartajaya (marketing specialist), Karnaya (urban designer), Moch. Danisworo (urban designer), M. Ronny Nitibaskara (criminologist), Saparinah Sadli (social psychologist)