City ignoring citizens

City ignoring citizens

Many officials of the Jakarta city administration still have
to learn how to respect the citizens and improve their
relationship with the public. The fact that the public have to
resort to demonstrations or angry protests against administration
policy show that there is something currently wrong with the
relationship.

The most recent example of this is the public protest that
took place in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, against the
construction of a sports mall and a basketball arena in the area
instead of public schools as planned earlier. The North Jakarta
mayor said recently that the change, which had been decided upon
by the city administration, had provoked clashes between local
residents and the city security officials. Local residents are
against the change because it has never been discussed with them.
Moreover, the development would cause serious traffic congestion,
reduce the water catchment area and increase the crime rate in
the area.

At the same time, residents of nearby Pulomas, which is known
for its racetrack, have also been upset by the administration's
plan to build the Korean World Trade Center in the area. No less
concerned about the case was House of Representatives member
Aberson Sihaloho, who said that the Pulomas area came under the
jurisdiction of the central government, and that the Jakarta
governor had no right to intervene in this case. Aberson pointed
to the Senayan area in southern Jakarta, which also came under
the control of the central government. Initially, the area was
intended for the building of sports facilities. Now it is crammed
full of other buildings, including the Jakarta Hilton and Atlet
Century hotels, Ratu Plaza shopping center and apartments.

Meanwhile, the head the Let's Watch non-governmental
organization, Rio Tambunan, said recently that almost all of
Jakarta's green spaces had been turned into commercial complexes.
Many city officials were involved in this dirty business, said
the former head of the Jakarta Planning Board. The most
pronounced changes could be seen along Jl. Gatot Subroto in East
Jakarta and in the Pluit area of North Jakarta. The Pluit
reservoir area, which was originally planned to serve as a water
catchment zone, was later used as the site for a shopping
complex. A 30-hectare chunk of it is where the Pluit Mall now
stands.

Anyway, Aberson said, in all cases the Jakarta governor had to
consult with the City Council first before changing land use
functions. And, the council should also hold public hearings with
local residents before making any decisions on the use of land in
disputed areas.

Governor Sutiyoso said recently that he would never give the
green light for any efforts to erect buildings in Jakarta's green
spaces. Despite the fact that former governors also made similar
promises, the conversion of green spaces to commercial uses has
frequently occurred. Under Governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto, who
governed the capital in the 1990s, the decision was made to turn
over the Pluit reservoir area to commercial development, which
included the Pluit Mall.

Who can help ensure that Jakarta saves its green spaces and
water catchment areas? The City Council, perhaps. But who is
there to prevent the council members from succumbing to the
temptations of filthy lucre? It is a difficult question because
where money is involved, the question becomes one of who will
supervise whom in this notoriously corrupt country.