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)