New plan on Kemang draws mixed reaction

JAKARTA (JP): The city's decision to allow business owners in Kemang, South Jakarta, who already possess legal permits to continue operating has drawn a mixed reaction from councilors and businesspeople.

Several councilors told The Jakarta Post they regretted the move and asked the city to review it for the sake of the residents, but another councilor along with Kemang businesspeople praised the decision.

The head of the United Development Party faction, Achmad Suaidy, and the head of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction, Lukman Mokoginta called on the administration to convert the area back into the residential neighborhood it used to be.

Suaidy worried that the new decision would affect local residents who first occupied the Kemang area.

"The administration, therefore, should approach the local people first to ascertain whether they agree with the plan," he suggested.

According to Suaidy, the residents have complained to him many times about the negative impacts of the businesses in their surroundings such as traffic congestion, missing sidewalks and increased noise.

Suaidy's opinion was shared by Lukman. The PDI member said the city's U-turn on Kemang would be a bad precedent in the future.

"It provides great possibilities that land use appropriation in other areas in the city can also be changed later,"he said.

He therefore suggested the administration first discuss the plan with the City Council and share those ideas with the Kemang residents.

He also reminded the administration to respect the city plan as guidance for all policies on land use.

"It doesn't mean that land use can't be changed but if it has to, there should be an intensive study in accordance with the city plan," Lukman said.

The decision to allow businesses in Kemang to return to normal was announced late last week by Governor Sutiyoso.

Sutiyoso said the decision would soon be issued in a gubernatorial decree. He, however, gave no specific date.

The decision, the governor said, was in line with the municipality's plan to develop Kemang into a model urban village in South Jakarta as proposed in a six-month study on the area.

He said all business operators who had legal permits for their businesses may therefore continue to operate.

"But, for those who have none and have violated the regulations, their businesses have to be permanently closed down as soon as possible," he said.

The decision received applause from councilor Ali Wongso Sinaga of the dominant Golkar faction.

"I believe the decision was made to give Kemang people, which include businesspeople, employees and residents -- who rented their houses -- a more prosperous life.

"On a different note, the city would also enjoy tax revenue from the businesses," said Ali, who is head of Commission D for Development Affairs.

Ali believed the administration also considered the area's "ability" to accommodate unemployment during the economic crisis.

"So, why don't we let the businesses exist there?" he argued.

Ali was strongly supported by the local businesses.

The manager of Chi-chi's Mexican restaurant, Ali Jusmono, called the city's plan a fair decision.

"If the study recommends that buildings here should be complete with green areas or pedestrian walks, we can arrange it with our neighbors," he said.

Jusmono hoped the municipality could also reveal more transparent details over the decision.

Coterie restaurant supervisor, Freddy Kotambunan, said the administration decision was greeted warmly by his employees.

"They feel relieved as the decision guarantees their jobs," he said.

Atiek Yunaeni, a director of Articia architectural and international fabrics agent, said: "We will face a new problem of unemployment during the current economic woes if the administration closes our businesses."

Also yesterday, South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said that he had been ordered by the governor to implement the plan.

The first phase of the rearrangement plan began last Thursday, he said, and the mayoralty had been closely monitoring businesses in Kemang and consistently applying the policy not to issue any new business permits.

"I think the decision is the best solution possible. I think all related parties can cooperate well, so there will be no problems," Pardjoko said.

"I can't say much about this now. But I guarantee that my office will work as hard as we can to complete the first phase of the program," he added. (edt/ind)