Expert says dekel 'need empowering'

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.