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)