Sutiyoso says he is ready to resign
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Governor Sutiyoso has been showered with attacks by critics who say that his administration's incompetence and empty promises have led to major crises -- involving garbage and flooding -- for Jakarta's residents recently.
Despite the fact that flooding has become critical problem in the capital on an annual basis, he refused to shoulder any blame -- pointing instead to things like Jakarta's low-lying position, or people who reside along river banks.
He has also come under fire for ignoring the administration's poor city planning which has resulted in damaged drainage conditions, and uncollected garbage.
Many feel his words merely rub salt on open wounds. There is not much the administration could do to prevent flooding, he has said, as any serious flooding prevention measures -- such as building a canal -- would require too much money.
He has failed to mention the fact that only 40 percent of the money for a major flood-control project, for which Rp 249 billion (about US$24 million) was allocated in the year 2000, has so far been spent.
Regarding this year's flooding, Sutiyoso chose to blame the five-year weather cycle, saying catastrophe was inevitable.
Sutiyoso, a former Jakarta Military Commander, denied that he responded too late to the latest calamity.
"I have ordered my staff to be on flood alert ... we all stayed at the office last night," he said Thursday.
But he claimed that he was willing to resign from his post owing to his administration's failures in handling big flooding in the last four days under one condition -- it be done in accordance with regulations.
"If people want me to resign, it won't be a problem at all, as long as it's done based on the current mechanism."
Jakartans responded enthusiastically.
Amir Busroh, for one, said that he would like to see Sutiyoso step down.
"I'm tired of hearing the administration's promises ... none so far have materialized," said the 30-year-old resident of Jl. Arus, Cawang, East Jakarta; his house was completely submerged by floodwaters.
Amir said that, several days prior to the flooding, City Public Order Agency officials held a flood relief training program in his area.
"Don't worry," Amir quoted the officers as saying, "everything will be alright if flooding comes to this area; we will provide all the necessary help."
When the water began to rise, none showed up.
"They said they would ring a siren to alert us -- but I suppose we should have known better than to trust them," Amir said.
Adrian, 22, of Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, said that he would organize his neighbors to stage a rally after the flood to demand Sutiyoso's resignation.
Similar complaints were voiced by Rahati, an evacuee of Petamburan subdistrict, West Jakarta. She said Sutiyoso must resign because the administration had completely failed both in preventing the flooding and helping its victims.
"Since the flooding began three days ago, no officials have bothered to come to help us -- even to give us a carton of noodles," she complained bitterly.