Doubt surrounds new council

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta

Urban planning and transportation experts expressed pessimism over the expected role of the City Transportation Council (DTK) to resolve the city's acute transportation problems because it has no power to intervene in the city's policies.

Alan Marino, a transportation expert from the University of Indonesia, pointed out that the new bylaw on transportation only entitles the council to make suggestions or recommendations to the city administration.

"I'm afraid the DTK will simply be a rubber stamp for policy made by the city administration," Alan, who is also a member of his alma mater's Center for Transport Studies (CTS), said on Saturday.

Secretary-general of the Forum for Cleaner Emission Partnership (MEB) Ahmad Safrudin said it was hard to expect an independent council if the administration still took part in the early stages of the recruitment process.

"I heard that Governor Sutiyoso has been given the authority to filter applicants before they are allowed to take part in subsequent stages of the recruitment process so he can prevent outspoken critics from becoming DTK members," he said.

Article 98 of the 2003 bylaw stipulates the administration should establish the transportation council six months after its endorsement in December.

DTK members will consist of representatives of the police, city administration, transport users, transport operators, experts and non-governmental organizations.

The bylaw, however, did not cover in detail its powers or its job description. That will be set out in a gubernatorial decree.

The recruitment process for DTK members, who will be in post for two years, will open with registration of interested applicants on Monday until July 26.

Alan said the establishment of the DTK was a response to strong public pressure for the presence of an independent institution, which would have a significant role in policy making.

"Unfortunately, the DTK will not be independent because its operation will still be under the control of the City Transportation Agency."

To ensure the council's independence, Alan suggested the budget for the DTK should be disbursed via the City Planning Agency (Bapeda) or specifically allocated in the city budget.

He cited the Chicago Transport Authority as a good model as it has the power to design transportation policies.

"If its recommendations are ignored by the Chicago mayor, they can report the major to the legislative body. The authority can leave the mayor in difficulties," he said.

Interesting applicants can apply at the Swisscontact secretariat on Jl. Wijaya XII No. 44, South Jakarta.