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.