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)