Probe 'demolition' of disputed bus shelter: Councilor

JAKARTA (JP): City councilors urged the municipality yesterday to make a full investigation into a missing bus shelter on Jl. Prapanca Raya in Kemang, South Jakarta.

"The municipality, in this case the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), must take stern action against officials who are involved in the disappearance of the shelter," Azwar Abbas, member of Commission A for administration affairs, said.

"A bus shelter is a public facility. How can the agency not know about its existence? It's embarrassing," he said.

The case of the missing bus shelter on Jl. Prapanca emerged when South Jakarta Deputy Mayor Abdul Mufti made an official statement four days ago.

The shelter was reportedly demolished on Oct. 26, a week after the agency turned down a businessman's proposal to remove the bus shelter, he said.

"According to witnesses, some city officials dressed in blue DLLAJ uniforms went to the bus shelter in two cars, bringing with them a set of welding equipment," Mufti said.

The businessman reportedly offered some Rp 50 million (US$15,151) to the agency to remove the shelter.

But the South Jakarta mayoralty denied it. "It's not true. That's why we're holding an investigation to solve this matter properly," Mufti said.

Mufti said the case had been officially reported to the South Jakarta mayor and DLLAJ, which is in charge of building bus shelters throughout Jakarta.

The City Planning Agency has also given its recommendation on land-use appropriations.

Councilor Azwar urged the agency to improve its supervision and control over the mushrooming number of alleged collusion cases between its officials and businesspeople.

One of the agency's officials who asked for anonymity said that it cost up to Rp 25 million to remove the bus shelter.

"That's crazy. This wouldn't have happened if the agency kept firm control over its officials. And I strongly object to the idea of... allowing the shelter to be removed for personal purposes," he said.

According to regulations, the removal of bus shelters is only allowed after serious consideration by related institutions.

"If a bus shelter is considered outdated or abandoned, the agency then can remove it and replace it with another shelter in a more strategic place for passengers," Azwar said.

Saud Rachman of Commission D for development affairs said such a case was an insult to the city's slogan of enforcing a discipline movement in Jakarta.

"We are always talking about discipline. This is embarrassing. One way or another, the agency must investigate this matter completely," Saud said.

"If a bus shelter can disappear, what about other public facilities? Can we trust our own officials?" he asked. (07)