Sutiyoso to replace transportation boss

Sutiyoso to replace transportation boss

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A rumor circulating among city councillors on Friday has it
that City Governor Sutiyoso is planning to replace the head of
the Jakarta Transportation Agency Rustam Effendy for diverting a
Rp 54 billion fund for a Busway project to other projects.

Rustam will reportedly be replaced by Jakarta Public Order
Office head Firman Hutajulu, but councillors say they will reject
his appointment because he has no experience in transportation.

"Yes, I've heard rumors. But we object to Hutajulu replacing
Rustam," councillor Syamsidar Siregar of the National Mandate
Party told reporters.

Syamsidar, who is a member of City Council Commission C for
financial and budgetary affairs, said that Firman had no
expertise in handling transportation problems.

Councillor Toto Ismunandar of the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supported Syamsidar's view, and
suggested that Sutiyoso find candidates from the agency who have
experience in handling transportation in the city.

"We support the planned replacement but the new chief should
be competent," Toto said.

He said that the planned installment of Firman would cause a
conflict of interest since the latter reportedly owned several
fleets of Angkot (public minivans).

Separately, Firman refused to comment on the rumor that he
would be installed as head of the transportation agency.

"The governor knows which official would be appropriate for
the position," he said without giving further details.

Sutiyoso was reportedly angry with the diversion of the Rp 54
busway fund to several other projects, including the purchase of
digital traffic lights, tow trucks and computers.

The reallocation of the fund was reportedly orchestrated by
Rustam and certain councillors in Commission D for development
affairs.

The administration earlier agreed to postpone the busway
project citing the need for more preparation.

Afraid of "losing" the fund, Rustam with the support of the
councillors, reallocated the fund without informing the governor
or his superiors, such as the Jakarta Planning Agency head Ritola
Tasmaya and financial assistant to the city secretary Makmun
Amin.

Two factions, PAN and the Justice Party refused to approve the
reallocation of the fund but they were outvoted as the majority
of the council's 11 factions approved it in a plenary session two
weeks ago.