Greater Jakarta unification idea gets poll support

JAKARTA (JP): Subjects of a recent poll support merging Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi into one administration for security reasons.

Conducted last year by data consultants Jarisa and the daily Media Indonesia, the poll showed 58.5 percent of respondents agreed Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi should be united.

The poll randomly surveyed respondents aged between 17 and 55 years. No specification of educational or social status of respondents was made.

The poll followed up an idea of former state minister of population and environment, Dr. Emil Salim, who said Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi should be managed by one governor with a ministerial level of authority.

The poll said 58.5 percent of 217 respondents had agreed to the idea, while 39.6 percent disagreed.

Those who agreed to the merger said unification could mean quick and proper handling of security problem, while others said a merger could increase the number of security officers.

Those who disagreed to the merger said unification could deteriorate security and make matters more complicated.

"The need for one management of the areas is urgent, given Jakarta has been 'burdened' by its neighboring areas," Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) councilor Lukman Mokoginta said.

Last September Emil Salim raised the concept of merging Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta), saying the areas needed one governor with a ministerial level authority to face future challenges.

Emil said the merger would enable improved services in Jakarta: "If things don't change, by the 21st century, we can expect more complications in one of the world's 10 megacities.

The population of Greater Jakarta is expected to reach 21.2 million by 2005.

Emil's idea brought reactions from experts and officials, including Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Yogie said he welcomed Emil's idea but comprehensive feasibility studies were still required.

He said there were many aspects which needed to be taken into consideration before the idea could be realized.

Lukman said yesterday Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) were geographically united: "One management makes things easier to handle."

The agency set up to coordinate matters in the Greater Jakarta (BKSP) has been under fire, for its failure to improve cooperation between the Jakarta and West Java administrations. Conflicting interests have frequently arisen between the two administrations in developing border areas.

Lukman said BKSP needed review as it had no power to do anything, citing the complicated and 'problematic' situation in Jakarta. (11)