Senayan saga

Senayan saga

The Jakarta administration's ambition to control and manage city assets formerly controlled and managed by the central government may materialize with a stronger legal basis behind it.

Law No. 34/2000 says that all assets controlled by the central government shall be handed over to the regional (provincial) administration, based on the regional autonomy law. Another strong basis is Vice President Hamzah Haz's request that Governor Sutiyoso send an official letter asking the State Secretariat to hand over the management of Senayan sports complex and Kemayoran (defunct airport) to the city administration.

One of the reasons for taking over the assets is the zoning plan. Having full authority to control the assets, the city administration will find it easier to control the development of the areas where the assets stand. In this way the open spaces that are supposed to remain the city's lungs could be preserved in the future.

The Senayan area, which was designed to become green space in the 1960s, has been "ravaged" by permanent buildings. According to the city zoning plan, 80 percent of Senayan is designated for sports activities and 20 percent for commercial purposes.

Governor Sutiyoso has promised, once the city administration takes over the Senayan area, all development will be halted. He has also vowed to take tough action against all buildings constructed without permission.

Will Sutiyoso keep his word?

Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta