Development of Jakarta must succeed: Surjadi

Development of Jakarta must succeed: Surjadi

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja sought support from
city residents yesterday to make the development of Jakarta, a
city of 10 million people, a success.

"We must not fail," Surjadi said, addressing an assembly of
the city council commemorating Jakarta's 468th anniversary.
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. was among the numerous
government and military officials on hand.

"Consequences are just unthinkable if the development ends in
failure," Surjadi said in his speech, which was broadcasted live
by the city's private radio stations.

Also present at the assembly, led by council chief M.H.
Ritonga, were four former Jakarta governors; Wiyogo Atmodarminto,
R. Soeprapto, Tjokropranolo and Ali Sadikin.

Anniversary celebrations will be enlivened with numerous
events, such as the famous month-long Jakarta fair, social
services and traditional cultural shows.

Surjadi pointed out that city officials have the
responsibility of continuing Jakarta's founding fathers' success
stories.

He highlighted the ongoing mega projects that his
administration is implementing, such as the reclamation of 2,700
hectares northern coast, the proposed ultra-modern integrated
Manggarai terminals and construction of a 14-kilometer subway
from Blok M to Kota.

Council chief Ritonga said that Jakarta is becoming
prosperous, having grown by 8.3 percent over the past year,
higher than the targeted 7.5 percent and higher than the national
growth of 6 percent.

Jakartans' per capita income has reached Rp 4 million
(US$1,750), or 14 percent higher than that of last year. The
national per capita income currently stands at 1.6 million.

He also noted that the city's capability to finance its
development projects is improving every year. In the current
1995/96 fiscal year, for instance, 64 percent of the Rp 2.3
trillion earmarked for projects comes from its own coffers and
the rest from the central government's.

But he warned that the rapid economic progress has brought
about various social ills, such as the widening gulf between the
rich and the poor.

"This social gap requires special attention from the
government," he said.

The council supports the various operations the government has
embarked on to improve city residents' discipline.

The city government has mobilized thousands of security
officers and volunteers to support the massive year-long
operations held in connection with the national discipline drive
launched by President Soeharto last month. (29)