Rich too 'busy' to care about subdistrict councils
Rich too 'busy' to care about subdistrict councils
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
While many slum dwellers complain about the poor performance of
their dewan kelurahan (subdistrict councils, Dekel), those living
in upmarket neighborhoods are oblivious to the councils'
existence.
"What is dewan kelurahan? I've never heard of it. I just know
the kelurahan (subdistrict office)," said Henny Setiawati, who
lives in the upmarket Pondok Indah residential area in Pondok
Pinang subdistrict, South Jakarta.
Henny, who works for a foreign firm in Central Jakarta,
admitted to being ignorant as to who her neighborhood unit chief
is.
Another resident of the elite Menteng area in Central Jakarta,
Onondon, also knew nothing about the subdistrict council.
"I've just heard about it from you. No circular concerning the
matter has been distributed," he said.
A neighborhood unit chief in Menteng, Samsudin, complained
that residents living in the area paid no attention to happenings
in their neighborhood, saying they do not care to read circulars
distributed.
She found it impossible to disseminate information directly to
residents as it was difficult to meet them in their houses.
"I've tried to see them many times, but it's always a dog or a
security guard who comes out," she said.
Commenting on the matter, sociologist Ery Seda of the
University of Indonesia said it was a natural response among
those in the middle and upper classes.
"They are too busy with their own business, and they lack
social solidarity with their neighbors," said Ery.
Such people, Ery said, had a different rhythm and lifestyle so
that they saw no need to build relations with their neighbors.
Subdistrict councils were established last year to promote
democracy, with council members being elected by residents of the
respective areas. Every neighborhood unit (RW) is represented by
a councilor member. There are more than 2,600 neighborhood units
in 267 subdistricts throughout the capital.
Meanwhile, Pondok Pinang Dekel secretary Mashur Nasam said the
subdistrict council had no immediate plan to conduct activities
involving those living in elite residential areas.
"We're focusing on the extension of funds to empower the
poor," Mashur said, referring to the disbursement of Rp 250
million from the city administration to help provide working
capital for low-income breadwinners.
"We have 17 neighborhood units, of which 12 units are densely
populated areas inhabited by lower-income bracket, who need
funds," he said.
Earlier reports alleged that many council members had misused
the funds.