Sutiyoso's 5-year plan all bones and no meat, say councillors

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso submitted his administration's Strategic Plan (Renstra) for the development of Jakarta over the next five years to the City Council on Tuesday against a backdrop of criticism from councillors claiming that the plan lacked detail and clarity.

"Although the Strategic Plan bylaw draft has been formulated comprehensively, it's still open to revision by the council," Sutiyoso said during a plenary session of the City Council.

According to Government Regulation No. 108/2000 on local administration, a newly elected governor is obliged to prepare a Strategic Plan (Renstra) for development over the next five years.

The Strategic Plan, which must be approved by the council, can be used to evaluate the performance of the governor. And according to Regulation No. 108/2000, the council can impeach the governor at any time if he or she violate the Strategic Plan.

Sutiyoso said that among the programs prioritized by the plan were improved public order and security, the revision of bylaws and regulations, and the elimination of corruption and collusion.

He said his administration would also prioritize the control of street vendors and squatters, and the provision of improved public services.

An increase in city revenue through fiscal intensification and extensification, and the development of economic infrastructure and tourism also received mention in the draft bylaw.

In addition, the administration focused on efforts to integrate management authority over the Senayan area, Kemayoran area, Tanjung Priok Port and urban toll roads.

The Senayan sports and business center, and the Kemayoran area in Central Jakarta are currently managed by the State Secretariat while the harbor and toll roads come under the control of the Ministry of Transportation and state-owned turnpike operator PT Jasa Marga respectively.

Sutiyoso said the administration would also improve education facilities, health services, population registration services and manpower training.

"We are also aiming at improving the quality of the environment by organizing a number of programs to dredge rivers, and reduce foul water and vehicle emissions," he said.

Separately, councillors said that the Strategic Plan was too normative, generalized, vague and failed to set targets or deadlines for the fulfillment of the programs.

"Sutiyoso intentionally framed the Strategic Plan bylaw in such a way as to avoid running the risk of being impeached by the council," said councillor Haim Hamidi from the National Mandate Party (PAN).

However, he claimed the council would revise the Strategic Plan, saying that it should contain some real programs, such as how the city would deal with future flooding.

Councillor Dani Anwar of the Justice Party (PK) supported Haim's comments, saying that the council would find it difficult to evaluate Sutiyoso based upon the plan as submitted. "There are no performance yardsticks or deadlines for the programs in the Strategic Plan," Dani told reporters.