JP/3/DKI/0
Special treatment for less developed subdistricts
JAKARTA (JP): The rehabilitation of less developed subdistricts in the city must be specially designed since their residents are unique by nature, an official said yesterday.
"Most city residents are migrants, so they need special consideration. Although some of them have been settled here for more than five years, their hearts and minds are not here but in their hometowns," said Erry Cahyadipura, head of the city development planning board.
Erry referred to the results of a recent survey conducted by his agency showing that most migrants spend only 30 percent of their income in the city, while the rest is sent to their families in their hometowns.
Touching on central government funds of Rp 20 million (US$9,520) for each less developed subdistrict, Erry said the funds will be given to poor residents for working capital for them to do business.
"But the use of the money should be coordinated with heads of those less developed districts and the local people's representatives," Erry was quoted by Antara as saying.
In the city, there are 11 subdistricts categorized as less developed, five of which will receive Rp 20 million each as part of the central government's aid program.
"The city has budgeted around Rp 10 billion for the remaining six subdistricts which do not get central government help," Erry noted.
The 11 subdistricts include Galur in Central Jakarta; Kamal and Tegal Alur in West Jakarta; Cilincing, Kali Baru, Kapuk Muara and Kamal Muara in North Jakarta, and four others in the Seribu Islands district.
Erry said the main goal in giving special funds to less developed subdistricts is to raise the incomes of poor people in those areas.
"If their standard of living has increased accordingly, we will work on infrastructures, such as improving roads, adding electricity lines and providing clean water," Erry said.
The program of assisting the less developed villages is an integral part of a bigger program designed to eradicate slums in the city.
Besides the 11 less developed subdistricts, there are still 2,800-hectare slums which are located in 30 subdistricts, excluding 75 poor subdistricts which are handled by a special kampong improvement program, known as the Mohammad Husni Thamrin project.
The program intends to resettle residents into healthier neighborhoods.
Erry denied allegations that the city administration removes the residents without considering their welfare.
"Besides relocating them, we continually nurture their mental health and social lives at their new homes," Erry said. (11)