'No progress seen in Jakarta'

'No progress seen in Jakarta'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The City Council approved last week Governor Sutiyoso's
accountability speech, giving him a chance at a second five-year
term as governor. The council approved, without involvement of
the public, the governor's speech despite widespread criticism of
his failure to handle various urban problems.

What do people say about the governor, whose term ends in
October? The Jakarta Post presents this column to find out
people's opinion of Sutiyoso, his policies and how they affect
them.

Wicaksono Saroso, 42, holds a doctorate decree and works as an
urban plan consultant with Urban and Regional Development
Institute (URDI). He has lived in Jakarta since 1984 and lives on
Jl. Permata Puri in Cibubur, East Jakarta.

In general, I have not seen any improvement in Jakarta over
the last five years, particularly for the urban poor, who need
better living conditions.

Maybe my life is better than before but I don't think it is
because of Sutiyoso's policies or actions.

Although, (former governor) Ali Sadikin is not my idol, I
consider him the best governor so far. I am not impressed by his
successors. Ali Sadikin had concrete vision in the development of
Jakarta and its people. I do not see that vision in his
successors, including Sutiyoso.

Andi Rahmah, 26, a university graduate working as a policy
analyst with Pelangi consultant firm. She has lived in Jakarta
since 1997 and lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

I see that violence is spreading across the city, and Pak
Sutiyoso should feel ashamed when seeing the poor people
(targeted in public order raids) in Jakarta.

I also don't think Pak Sutiyoso has created a certain climate
through his policies, which could improve people's welfare in the
city. For many people in Jakarta, they work very hard for a
living.

What I read from a book, Ali Sadikin could compromise with the
poor. For example, becak (pedicab) drivers were given the
opportunity to operate at night when public transportation did
not operate.

Ahmad Safrudin, 33, a graduate of the economic school at the
University of Indonesia, is chairman of the Indonesian Forum for
the Environment (Walhi)'s Jakarta chapter. He has been in Jakarta
since 1990 and lives in Pulo Mas housing complex, in East
Jakarta.

Phasing out leaded gasoline in Jakarta might be an achievement
of Governor Sutiyoso, although the program was successful because
of the support of various factors. I do not see any other
achievements.

He made a controversial decision by allowing the development
of a sports mall on land allocated for social and public
facilities in Kelapa Gading, East Jakarta.

Many of his policies, including how he handled the recent
floods, is controversially viewed from environmental aspects.

It is difficult to appraise Jakarta governors positively after
Ali Sadikin.