Jakarta's mixed burden

Jakarta's mixed burden

From Merdeka

I am writing in response to Mr. Tasdik TN's letter of Nov. 22 in Merdeka on how to keep the Betawi community (Jakarta's indigenous group) intact.

Mr. Tasdik TN, from Bekasi, said it was necessary to make a distinction between: (1) Jakarta as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, and (2) the city of Jakarta as the capital of the first-level region of Greater Jakarta.

He wrote that these two things seem to be found simultaneously.

If the city of Jakarta serves only as a state capital, it will only be the seat of government. In the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia one can find only state buildings, those of the central government.

The capital of a state is not a residential area. As a state capital, Jakarta will not be a city with hectic trade activities and traffic congestion.

In this respect, it is necessary to have legal certainty as to which area, with clear boundaries, will be called "the city of Jakarta, the capital of the Republic of Indonesia".

As for the first-level region of Greater Jakarta, it must have its own capital, a provincial capital not concurrently a state capital.

As a first-level region and a provincial capital, Jakarta would have its own residential areas and centers of trade, agricultural, fishery, industrial, tourism, cultural and other activities.

If Jakarta serves only as a state capital, efforts to maintain the Betawi community will be made within Greater Jakarta's first- level region, not within the city of Jakarta.

It is clear from what Mr. Tasdik wrote that Jakarta shoulders mixed burdens. Therefore, it is necessary to determine its limits as a capital city and a provincial capital.

This is advisable especially because it is obvious that the burdens that Jakarta is shouldering are too heavy; among others as a melting pot for people of various ethnic and racial groups and as a model of development for other regions in the country.

Also, Jakarta is indirectly responsible for the smooth running of development undertakings in the peripheral areas of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Botabek). Most residents in these areas earn a living in Jakarta. They return home only to sleep at night. It is only proper that now one must not think of how to conserve the Betawi community only but must start considering the real role of Jakarta as a state capital and as a provincial one.

Until now Jakarta has not played its dual role to the maximum. Development in Jakarta is still limited to its physical aspect and has not encompassed its moral aspect.

M. RIDWAN ADRIAN

Jakarta