Subdistricts told to hold new council elections
JAKARTA (JP): In the wake of the decision to revoke all nominations for new subdistrict councils, Governor Sutiyoso called on the community on Saturday to ensure that new elections were held in accordance with prevailing regulations.
"I also urge officials in all subdistricts to disseminate information regarding the process to avoid irregularities," Sutiyoso said on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the planting of 1,000 trees in the National Monument park.
The city administration and City Council decided on Friday to postpone the establishment of subdistrict councils, saying that much of the electoral process of the nominees for the new body was flawed.
Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi revealed that several nominees had been chosen even before guidelines for the electoral process was issued.
"I call on residents to conduct new elections in their respective subdistricts," Kahfi said during a hearing with City Council Commission A for administrative affairs.
Many subdistricts in the capital have already submitted the names of their candidates, while a new gubernatorial decree which stipulates guidance for elections was only issued on Jan. 19.
Subdistrict councils are new institutions designed to empower people at the grassroots level to participate in the development of their own communities, as well as to control the activities of their subdistrict administration.
The city administration initially set Jan. 31 as the deadline for the establishment of the councils.
"We will announce a new schedule soon, meanwhile our officials will focus on intensifying information dissemination on the substance and electoral process of subdistrict councils to the community," the deputy governor remarked.
Residents have complained that they were given too little time to select suitable candidates which then allegedly led to various irregularities in the establishment of subdistrict councils.
Most neighborhood communities said they only received the order to choose their candidates on Monday and that subdistrict chiefs wanted the candidates' names submitted by Wednesday.
According to reports, all of the 393 administrative units (RW) in Central Jakarta had nominated candidates and planned to inaugurate them on Saturday.
In South Jakarta, at least 447 from 573 units had submitted the names of their representatives, while in West Jakarta 423 from 564 units had chosen their candidates. In North Jakarta, 280 from 400 units had selected their candidates.
Commission A chairman Binsar Tambunan said the electoral process of the candidates was considered flawed as it was not conducted in accordance with the guidelines.
"We must uphold regulations ... The city administration must reelect representatives for subdistrict councils to show its good intention to the community," Binsar said.
Another councilor, Posman Siahaan of the Justice and Unity Party (PKP), said the city administration must issue a new circular to the city's five mayoralties informing residents about the changes.
According to City Bylaw No. 5/2000 on the establishment of the councils, a member of a subdistrict council serves a five-year term. A council is to be made up of one representative from each RW. Generally, one RW overseas 10 neighborhood communities.(07)