Surjadi deserves 2nd term: Speaker

Surjadi deserves 2nd term: Speaker

JAKARTA (JP): The City Council Speaker said yesterday Governor
Surjadi Soedirdja should be given a second term in office.

M.H. Ritonga said the administration would still need a person
like Surjadi who was committed, wise and straightforward.

"He has succeeded in realizing the city's policies", said
Ritonga.

A 1974 government regulation says a Governor may serve another
term.

Ritonga said an example of Surjadi's good character was his
stance on his subordinates accepting some of the blame for the
way housing building permits have been used for cafes and other
commercial establishments in the Kemang area, South Jakarta.

Surjadi will allow building owners to continue all operations,
if they are using temporary permits for housing, until permits
expire.

Ritonga said another example was Surjadi's frequent call for
people claiming to related to him while seeking favoritism in
city projects, to be ignored.

This showed the Governor was committed to quality in projects,
not nepotism, he said.

But there was a gap between Surjadi and lower level officials,
Ritonga said.

"Even so, most importantly, the Governor is aware of his
officials' misbehavior and he takes action against them," said
Ritonga.

Surjadi, whose five-year term ends in October, declined to
comment on Ritonga's recommendation.

"That is none of my business," Surjadi said. (11)