Councillors set terms for Sutiyoso to keep job

JAKARTA (JP): City councillors from three major political factions say that Governor Sutiyoso could keep his job provided he makes some improvements in the administration.

A day after the Council voted on Sutiyoso's accountability for the year ending March 31, many councillors stressed that it was not their intention to oust him from the governorship.

"What we have here is a transitional situation," said Syamsuardi Botan of the National Mandate Party (PAN) referring to the tough challenges that the Jakarta governor has had to face.

"Ousting Sutiyoso from his post will not necessarily be the answer to resolving the city's problems, but if he cannot cope with the reform process, he has to be dismissed," Syamsuardi told The Jakarta Post.

"The council members are not planning to bring Sutiyoso down, but if he wants to keep his post, he has to prove himself and make some significant improvements," Jannes Pardosi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said.

Councillor Djafar Badjeber however was ambivalent about the intention of his United Development Party (PPP) when Sutiyoso returns to face the Council with a new improved report.

When asked whether Sutiyoso's governorship could still be defended, Djafar replied: "Wait 30 more days."

After voting 68-16 to reject the speech on Thursday, the Council gave Sutiyoso one month to write up a new report, giving more detailed explanations on various policies that the administration has taken or intends to take.

The major political factions criticized the governor for not being more forthcoming with his policies and programs in his report.

Djafar understood that the governor was facing difficult times and said the PPP faction was willing to accept this fact.

"We are not asking for something he cannot deliver," he said. "(But) Sutiyoso should not turn a deaf ear to inputs from the council and the public," he said.

Syamsuardi highlighted the need for the governor to give more explanations about the steps being taken to eradicate the practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in the administration.

He noted the report did not disclose names of the culprits, the sanctions imposed, or the investigations that have been or are being carried out.

He also said that the administration's reform monitoring team, set up to monitor KKN practices, has not been effective.

Jannes underlined the lax law enforcement in the capital, especially in the streets, evidence of which comes from the large number of complaints by residents about the lack of security.

He urged the governor to strengthen the quality of the administration's employees. (06)