Kamal residents want access road

JAKARTA (JP): The people of Kamal subdistrict in West Jakarta have urged the city administration to provide them with access to the main road to end their area's isolation since the completion of the airport toll road in April 1985.

Representatives of the residents asked West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto on Monday to build a flyover across Prof. Sedyatmo toll road, which links the city and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and divides the subdistrict.

The mayor visited the area to promote the government's program to develop least developed areas, known as Inpres Desa Tertinggal. Kamal has been categorized as a least developed area.

Earlier, Fajar Panjaitan, the chief of Kalideres district, whose jurisdiction includes Kamal, confirmed that the airport toll road has separated three of eight community units in the subdistrict.

Bisnis Indonesia daily reported yesterday that the isolation has cost the local people extra transportation expenses and hampers their business activities.

The people told Sutardjianto that they had to pay approximately Rp 5,000 (US$2.30) for a round trip by ojek (motorcycle taxi) to reach the nearest community health center for medical treatment costing just Rp 500.

A vegetable farmer complained to the mayor that with the existing bridge, he has to carry the vegetables to Kalideres or Cengkareng market by bicycle.

"We are badly in need of public transportation," he said.

Another farmer asked the mayor to help him obtain a loan which he needed to boost his business.

A fish breeder also made the same request to develop a recreational fishing spot.

Jakarta has 11 least developed subdistricts, five of which will receive Rp 20 million in aid each as part of the central government's program, while the remaining six will receive around Rp 10 million in donations from the city administration. (03)