Sutiyoso pledges to maintain security in the capital

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso renewed on Wednesday his commitment to maintain security in Jakarta and create a capital city safe to invest in.

"We will deploy city administration public order and hansip (civilian defense) officials to help police officers maintain security in the city," Sutiyoso said at City Hall.

"The officials will be deployed throughout the city along with police officers," he said.

The governor was speaking after recording a speech for the commemoration of Jakarta's 473rd anniversary on Thursday.

"We will also intensify public order operations to guarantee peace and order in society," he said.

"Our main targets are illegal traffic wardens (locally known as pak ogah) and street musicians," he added, while calling on all residents not to use the services of the illegal wardens.

Illegal traffic wardens usually operate at U-turns and intersections on busy streets, holding up the traffic for vehicles wishing to turn. In return, they ask for small change, sometimes by force.

Drivers have repeatedly complained about their presence on the city's streets, accusing them of damaging vehicles whose drivers refuse to pay for their services. They also neglect road users' safety as well as their own when going about their job.

Sutiyoso said his next priority was street vendors.

"We will take care of street vendors later because we need large spaces to accommodate them," he said.

The city has seen increasing numbers of street vendors since the beginning of the economic crisis in mid-1997. The vendors tend to do business in public spaces, such as sidewalks and roads.

Sutiyoso said that security problems in Jakarta posed problems for the nation as a whole, contending that the city was a barometer for Indonesia in general.

"Security instability in Jakarta will not only delay the economic recovery but also further tarnish our image internationally," he said.

"Therefore I ask all residents to restrain themselves from violating the law, including brawls and vigilante actions.

"Residents must always remember to uphold the supremacy of law as the basis for true reform," he said.

Earlier in the morning, the governor paid a visit to Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta to pay his respects to those buried there.

All five mayoralties in the city held pesta rakyat (folk celebrations) on Wednesday evening to commemorate the city's anniversary, which featured dangdut,tanjidor, gambang kromong, keroncong, and qasidahan.

The Central Jakarta mayoralty held a boat race on Ciliwung River as well as a decorated boat competition in Pasar Baru, with the assistance of traders at the shopping center. The traders also offered discounts to mark the anniversary.

Other attractions were traditional performances, not only Betawi (native Jakartan), but also Sundanese sisingaan and Javanese reog shows. (nvn)