Jakartans told to join slum betterment program

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja yesterday urged Jakartans to help the city's efforts to reduce the number of slum areas.

"They could realize their participation by helping needy people," the Governor said in a ceremony for the launching of a program to improve the conditions of slum areas at the Tanah Tinggi low-cost apartment complex in Central Jakarta.

The ceremony was held at Tanah Tinggi's low-cost housing complex, which was built to accommodate slum dwellers. The area was destroyed in 1993 by a fire.

The launching of the program was part of the commemoration of National Solidarity Day, which fell on Dec. 20.

In the ceremony the governor hoped that national solidarity would not be lost, especially in big cities such as Jakarta.

"Our national solidarity should not fade away due to modernization or development because we need it to strengthen our unity," Surjadi said.

He reiterated that the community's participation in this program is vital to the success of national solidarity.

The governor then pointed to last year's participation of several businessmen in such a program, who collecting funds to build low-cost apartments at Kalimati in the Bidara Cina subdistrict, East Jakarta.

"This participation is the real description of national solidarity. It is in line with the city administration's program to phase out slum areas through the establishment of low-cost apartments," he said.

Surjadi said that last year's physical renovation, under the program, cost Rp 4.8 billion (US$2.19 million), of which Rp 3.3 billion was funded by the community and the remaining Rp 1.5 billion was derived from the subsidy of the central government.

Activities covered under the program included the construction of pavements in the slum areas, establishment of water ditches and building sanitary facilities, such as collective bathrooms and public lavatories.

"This year there will be no subsidy from the central government. Therefore I expect more Jakartans will participate in the program," Surjadi said.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi reported that this year his office will only get Rp 600 million from the city budget to renovate slum areas in five subdistricts, including Kartini, Cempaka Baru and Cikini.

By comparison, the mayor said, the mayoralty spent Rp 1.05 billion last year.

In Central Jakarta there are a number of slum areas located in eight subdistricts: Cikini, Paseban, Tanah Tinggi, Kampung Bali, Kebon Kacang, Cempaka Baru, Kartini and Cempaka Putih Baru. (yns)