Strenghten ties between Jakarta, W. Java: Surjadi
Strenghten ties between Jakarta, W. Java: Surjadi
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja says that the
cooperation between Jakarta and West Java should be improved to
coordinate developments in the two regions.
Surjadi said that cooperation between the two regions has been
relatively weak because existing regulations do not accommodate
the interests of both sides.
"It is true that the cooperation has been too weak because
each region has its own concept of development. As a result the
developments of West Java regions, which border Jakarta, such as
Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Botabek), have never been compatible
with the development of Jakarta," Surjadi told reporters
yesterday in a press conference to commemorate his third year as
governor.
He said Jakarta needed to keep its southern part as a water
catchment in a bid to preserve groundwater but, on the other
hand, the West Java administration intends to develop the regions
adjacent to Jakarta's water catchment area by allowing
contractors to develop housing complexes.
"Such misunderstandings should be overcome because the effect
will not only harm Jakarta but it will also damage the West Java
areas in the long run," he said.
Third year
Surjadi said that the best way to deal with this problem is to
intensify communication between the two administrations and reach
better a understanding about developing the greater Jakarta area.
Surjadi, who took office Oct. 6, 1992 replacing Wiyogo
Atmodarminto, is known as a quiet person who prefers action to
words. He is also known for consistency in implementing his
policies, especially in creating a clean government.
He has often reminded his subordinates that they work to serve
the people and not the other way around.
He has had more than 120 city employees punished for various
violations since 1993.
Surjadi, known as a devout Moslem, introduced the Jakarta
Teguh Beriman motto, an abbreviation for continued efforts to
live in a clean, beautiful, humane and secure manner, in 1992.
"The motto was meant to become a bastion against everything
unsuitable to the morale of Jakartans," he said.
Speaking of people's incomes, Surjadi said Jakarta's per
capita income was US$3,109 in 1994, the highest in the country.
Jakarta has won various awards under his administration, from
the prestigious Parasamya Purna Karya Nugraha award to the
Adipura Award for achievements in development and cleanliness.
However, he said what Jakarta has achieved is a result of a
long process pioneered by his predecessors.
This year the administration has launched several large
projects such as a subway and land reclamation. (yns)