Presidential decree on sticker system issued
Presidential decree on sticker system issued
JAKARTA (JP): A presidential decree on the sticker system
which will replace the controversial three-in-one traffic system
was issued on Monday and the city is preparing supporting bylaws,
an official said yesterday.
Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi told
The Jakarta Post that the decree, which approves the sticker
system, deals with administrative matters only.
"Supporting bylaws are under preparation. This process has
involved all relevant parties and has considered public
requirements and expectations," Kahfi said.
The current three-in-one regulation requires private vehicles
to carry at least three people when entering restricted zones
during the morning and evening rush hours.
"Until everything is ready, we will continue to apply the
three-in-one policy. We won't rush things. It is better to be
well prepared than have a new but unworkable system," he said.
A special team was assigned to the task of drafting the new
regulations and making the necessary technical preparations last
month, based on gubernatorial decree No. 115/1998.
The city administration will be in charge of managing the
sticker system for the time being, although it is expected that
the private sector will soon take charge of the project.
Kahfi refused to comment on which private companies are likely
to assist the city to apply the sticker system.
"For the time being the city administration will run the
system alone," he said.
There are rumors that PT Wijaya Wisesa, a company owned by
Eddy Nalapraya, a former deputy governor of Jakarta, has been
given the contract.
The company has reportedly proposed charging Rp 5,000 for a
sticker allowing a single entry into the restricted zone, Rp
8,000 for a day sticker and Rp 100,000 for a monthly sticker.
Two other companies are believed to have submitted bids for
the project.
"Remember that the goal of this system is to solve the problem
of traffic congestion in the heart of this city, not to merely
gain profits," Kahfi said.
The city administration conducted a number of traffic
comparison studies overseas before it finally selected the
sticker system to replace the three-in-one system, he said.
"We studied and researched traffic management in Australia and
Singapore and we will adapt the system most suited to Jakarta."
Kahfi said.
He said that trials, which will reportedly be carried out in
June, would be finally decided upon by the governor.
"We want to begin trials as soon as possible, but it is up to
the governor and the special team assigned to this matter."
Kahfi is a commissioner on the team which is lead by the head
of the City Development Planning Board and comprises senior
officials from transportation, city planning, public works, law
and financial affairs agencies and non-government organizations.
The team is expected to propose that a private company
administers the system and runs a campaign to familiarize the
public with the system.
"I will give you more details later. In the meantime we are
open to suggestions and comments from the public," he said.
City councilor Amarullah Asbah, head of Commission C for
Financial Affairs said that the city council had begun to work on
the necessary bylaws.
"We have to have time to study the effect of the planned
bylaw. It takes time and effort to perfect a regulation which
will affect all of us.
"We can't make the same mistakes as before. The municipality
has to be more cautious this time," he added.
The three-in-one regulation was introduced in 1992 in a bid to
ease notorious morning traffic congestion. However, motorists
managed to beat the system by hiring "jockeys", usually young
children, who make up the required number of passengers for Rp
1,000 (10 U.S. cents) a time. (edt)