Expert says dekel 'need empowering'

Leony Aurora, Jakarta

Subdistrict councils should be formed independently by residents and treated as equal partners by local administrations in making policies that affect the public, an expert says.

The director of urban and rural affairs at the National Development Planning Board, Penny Lukito-Firdaus, said on Friday independent subdistrict councils would reflect the public participation required for good governance.

"The essence of public participation is the public's involvement in decision making, not merely that they are informed," she said. "The public has to bear the consequences of the policies."

Subdistrict councils have been established in Jakarta based on Article 27 of Law No. 39/1999 on the administration of special regions.

However, these councils have little influence in creating policy. For the most part, they are limited to providing input regarding the administration at the subdistrict level and explaining policies to residents.

Members of the current councils are selected by heads of community units in their respective areas.

Penny said the administration might need to introduce the idea of public participation to residents, but should not be involved in the establishment of the councils.

"The members should be directly elected by the people. Prominent figures in the area can also be initiators," she said.

According to Penny, since 1997 the central government has conducted pilot projects dealing with empowering the people at the subdistrict level.

The People's Self-Supporting Body is working on poverty eradication, with programs designed by the residents themselves.

"We are developing this model, hoping that it can be replicated elsewhere for other objectives," said Penny. The program, which is taking place in Java and Kalimantan, will end in 2007.

One obstacle to the implementation of good governance is that leaders tend to focus on the short term, she said.

"They want to show that they have performed during their tenures by physical and economical development, and often neglect the social and environmental consequences," she said. "Social control (by the community) needs to be developed."

Jakarta is in the process of establishing the City Transportation Council. Some 185 of 335 applicants passed the initial screening and will undergo a written test, an interview and a psychological review.

Thirteen members will be selected based on the reviews, carried out by the University of Indonesia. The council's task will be to provide recommendations on transportation in the capital to the governor, who has the final say on the policies.