Jakarta needs more democracy: Experts

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Revisions to the law creating Jakarta as a special capital territory should make the city more democratic by pushing for regional autonomy, experts say.

They expressed disappointment on Friday that members of the House of Representatives, who recently prepared the draft revision of law No. 34/1999, have not included the option to create direct elections for regional heads.

"It is regrettable that the draft revision of law on Jakarta as special capital territory does not rule on autonomy at the municipal/regency level. It means that (legislators) are reluctant to push democratization in the capital," said Smita Notosusanto of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) on Friday.

The bill was prepared by 20 members of the House of Representatives from a broad spectrum of political parties.

She said that with the current system, Jakarta was the most undemocratic region in the country because its five mayors and one regent were not directly elected by the people but were appointed by the governor.

Smita said the revision of law No. 34/1999 was a good time to make the city more democratic by ending this system.

In the bill, the governor still retains the right to appoint Jakarta's five mayors and one regent, making it the only province in the nation where mayors and regents are not directly elected by the people.

Mayors and regents in other provinces are now chosen in direct elections, thanks to amendments to Law No. 32/2004 on regional administrations.

Smita expressed the hope that legislators would listen to the aspirations of Jakartans when they deliberated the draft.

Law No. 32/2004 on regional administrations, which becomes the legal basis for regional autonomy outside Jakarta, did not have to apply to the city, which was special region, she argued.

"Jakarta could, for example, rule to allow independent candidates for gubernatorial and mayoral elections because as a special territory, Jakarta could have its own system like in Aceh and Papua," she told The Jakarta Post.

Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said that Jakarta has many potential figures who could become independent gubernatorial or mayoral candidates.

"Legislators should make a breakthrough for democracy in Jakarta by allowing independent candidates to take part in gubernatorial and mayoral elections in the city," he told the Post.

Such electoral systems were common in cities worldwide, including Southeast Asian cities like Manila, he said.

City Council Speaker Ade Surapriatna opposed the idea, saying it would cause problems integrating development in the city.

"Jakarta is different from other regions. There are many problems in Jakarta like floods and traffic congestion which should be solved at the provincial level. If each municipality is an autonomous region it would be difficult to overcome such problems," he said.