New governor urged to follow blueprint
JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Governor Surjadi Soedirdja yesterday urged the next governor to focus on the city's nine strategic plans that have been implemented in the past five years.
"Since I was appointed as governor, I've been saying that Jakarta has a huge, heavy and complex problem to be solved," Surjadi said. "So, I really hope that the strategic plans will also form the guidelines for the new governor managing the city."
The governor, who is expected to relinquish his duties early next month, made these comments in front of students of Jakarta University, who organized a seminar on Jakarta's prospects and strategic development.
The nine strategies are: reducing the population, rejuvenating slum areas, managing informal sectors, improving public services, enhancing the attitude of city staff, increasing the city's revenue, improving traffic and transportation, protecting the environment and selecting qualified staff.
According to Surjadi, the plans were based on intensive studies and research involving many experts in urban and social planning.
"I think one of the many problems to be solved relates to migrants," he said.
"The family planning program is working well here but every year Jakarta -- which is now home to 11 million people -- has an influx of new 'citizens', particularly after Lebaran (the Moslem post-Ramadhan fasting month) when at least 200,000 people come to the city annually in search of work," he said.
Among other officers attending yesterday's seminar was City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, who was elected by a majority of city councilors on Tuesday to become the eighth Jakarta governor.
However, Sutiyoso, who is waiting for President Soeharto's approval, refused to reply to reporters' questions about Surjadi's remarks.
During his speech, Surjadi also said that Jakarta should not grow up alone but in tandem with other cities in the country.
"So villagers can be proud of their own cities and decide to stop coming to Jakarta," he said.
"Again, I say, Jakarta is not a dream city and many people who migrate here have failed to make it because they don't have sufficient skills and education. They eventually earn a living in informal sectors and become a burden to the administration."
Those who fail normally end up living under bridges, in shacks along the river banks or even illegally build homes on state- owned land.
"And if we try to move or relocate them, they screamed and called us inhuman," he said.
"Siapa suruh datang ke Jakarta? (Who asked you to come to Jakarta)" he said, citing the title of a famous hit of the 60s.
Another serious problem facing the city is the bad habit of some city officials to collude with contractors for their own interests, Surjadi said.
"This also must be stopped by the new governor."
He also revealed the stern action he has taken to protect southern Jakarta -- the water preservation area -- by refusing to allow contractors to build in the green area.
"I'm not blaming the governors before me who allowed the green area to be turned into gas stations or any other building," he said. "But I don't want the next governor to have to buy and demolish a building just to make a green area."
Sutiyoso, in his speech, talked only about the security of Jakarta.
"I'm very afraid if university students go to the streets (to stage a demonstration) because I might not be so worried if a preman (hoodlum) was shot but shooting a student could have a greater impact," he said.
Other speakers at the seminar were criminologist Erlangga Masdiana from University of Indonesia and Betawi (native Jakartans) representatives Eddie M. Nalapraya and Yasmine Zaki Shahab. (07)