Sutiyoso says he is ready to resign

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.