Improved public service sought

Improved public service sought

JAKARTA (JP): Along with the implementation of regional
autonomy on Jan. 1, the Jakarta administration is expected to be
able to improve its services to the public, councillors said over
the weekend .

Councillor Tjuk Sudono of the National Mandate Party (PAN)
faction said regional autonomy is aimed at providing more access
for the people to monitor the administration's performance.

"The city has enough public facilities for the people, but the
administration needs to improve its services.

"With the establishment of the subdistrict councils, residents
can channel their opinions and criticism to the administration,"
Tjuk said.

Jakarta is divided into five mayoralties, 43 districts and 265
subdistricts.

"With more personnel and budget, obtained with implementation
of regional autonomy, the city administration will hopefully be
able to meet the people's demands for better services," he said.

Tjuk said that basic services such as water, public lighting
and electricity should be given priority.

Another councillor, Binsar Tambunan of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said, the new
organizational structure of the city administration was expected
to result in more effective service.

"The changes in the organization structure will include the
revocation of some city offices, which will mean that several
items on the city budget can be reallocated for the improvement
of public services," Binsar said.

A city official hinted earlier that the city administration
was still reorganizing its organizational structure to
accommodate transfer of authority from the central government.

Meanwhile, Ivan Parapat of the Jakarta Parliament Watch shared
similar opinions with the councillors, saying that proper
implementation of regional autonomy would result in better public
service. (07)