Lacking sensitivity

Lacking sensitivity

From Warta Kota

Some time ago the Jakarta administration was involved in a conflict over garbage-related problems in the city. The conflict has occurred as the city administration doesn't pay attention to the health and infrastructure problems facing the residents living near the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi. As a result the locals refused to let their area become a dumping site for the city's garbage.

After reading a news story about hundreds of garbage truck drivers and conductors going on strike (Warta Kota, April 17), as a city resident I feel really concerned and sad to know that some drivers have been forced to use their own money to purchase used tires so as to keep their trucks operating. They have done so because there is no money in the 2001 city budget for the replacement of garbage truck tires.

I therefore call on the city administration:

* To immediately fulfill the truck drivers' demands for new tires. Don't give them empty promises. Their demands are reasonable. Moreover, damaged tires can endanger their safety and won't facilitate their work.

* To hold a transparent tender for the garbage truck tire replacement project if it is true that the uncertainty about tire replacement is the result of many parties vying with each other for the project. Not to mention that a number of city councillors have got their own men involved as well.

* As a good leader, the Jakarta governor should be aware about how his officials are performing and immediately deal with any problems that arise. The garbage truck drivers have been protesting about their bald tires since the end of March.

TAUFIK ZAHRONY

Jakarta