Missing traffic signs cause condemnation
JAKARTA (JP): City councilors condemned the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) on Tuesday for neglecting to take good care of traffic signs and traffic lights.
Councilors Saud Rahman and Mardjuan Bakri of the council's Commission D for development affairs said separately that the agency officials had done nothing to prevent the disappearance or damage of traffic signs and lights.
Mardjuan of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction said the missing traffic signs should not be considered a small problem because their disappearance could disrupt traffic flow.
"The city administration should pay serious attention to the missing or damaged traffic signs," he said.
He said the fact that traffic signs had been missing or damaged for months proved that DLLAJ officials did not perform their duties seriously.
"I think there has yet to be significant reform in the city administration as its working performance is the same as before.
"Under the reformed government, such a work attitude should no longer be maintained," he said.
Mardjuan vowed that the council would include the missing traffic signs in the agenda of a Commission D meeting, slated for next week.
The absence of traffic signs, which the administration acknowledged two months ago, is most apparent along the city's toll roads and major thoroughfares. Media reports, however, have hinted that many traffic signs disappeared early this year.
Recent disappearances, mostly directional signs and some traffic lights, have become more serious than before. The only indication that traffic signs existed in some areas are the remaining poles, as found in East Jakarta's area of Cawang, Jl. Pramuka, Jl. Matraman and Jl. A. Yani.
Areas in Central Jakarta where traffic signs have disappeared are Senen, Cempaka Putih and Tanah Abang, while in North Jakarta are Jl. Yos Sudarso and Jl. Tugu Raya.
Mardjuan said that not all of the traffic signs that the administration was being criticized over had disappeared or been damaged, as some were covered by big trees and were impossible to see.
Saud Rahman of the United Development Party (PPP) faction alleged that the transportation agency's officials had purposely neglected to take immediate action over the missing or damaged traffic signs.
"It has become a common secret in the past that certain officials commercialized the case.
"They neglected to immediately repair or replace the traffic signs until their number was financially numerous enough," he said.
Saud, who is also Commission D deputy chairman, said the administration had indeed allocated a sufficient budget for the maintenance of DLLAJ equipment, including traffic signs, amounting to Rp 6.76 billion (US$965,700) from its 1999/2000 city budget.
He said the administration should not take a long time to decide on the repair or replacement of the traffic signs.
"The city administration took immediate action when public facilities were damaged during a series of unrest a few months ago. Such rapid action should be taken now," he said. (ind)