Jakarta needs more democracy: Experts

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.