Sutiyoso's one achievement

Sutiyoso's one achievement

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso again made a controversial move when
he ordered the area under the Pasar Pagi flyover in West Jakarta
to be developed into a shopping complex.

The construction of 88 semi-permanent kiosks under the flyover
linking Jl. Perniagaan and Jl. Asemka Jembatan Batu has drawn
criticism. As part of the administration's efforts to clear out
roadside vendors, who have contributed to traffic congestion in
the capital, this decision only reflects the administration's
lack of seriousness in, and commitment to, managing traffic in
the teeming city.

The city officials might have forgotten that the Pasar Pagi
flyover was constructed in order to ease traffic, and once the
kiosks are operational, traffic around the area will become worse
than it was before. Thus, while existing traffic problems are
neglected, a decision is made to compound the traffic even
further.

An integrated plan on traffic and ground transportation has
never been drawn up to smooth out the flow of traffic, as this
year's developments have shown. Delivering promises and rhetoric
to remedy the traffic have apparently become the best actions
Sutiyoso's administration can take, and clearing the city's roads
of illegally parked cars and roadside vendors has become the main
operation for authorities.

From his first term in office in 1997 until he was reelected
governor this year, Sutiyoso has never managed to get the job
done, and the Pasar Pagi flyover saga is just one of the many
controversial maneuvers made by Sutiyoso and his administration
in 2002.

The most recent contentious policy was the National Monument
(Monas) park beautification project, which includes a plan to
release deer in the area. The Rp 80 billion Monas project looks
silly to many who believe that flood control projects must be
given top priority, as does another prodigal project, the Rp 14
billion renovation of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and
fountain.

Sutiyoso and the administration have been too stubborn to
learn their lessons from the severe flooding which claimed
several lives and crippled the city economy early this year.

The city did nothing significant when the citizens were
struggling to survive the consequences of the flood. After the
flood came only rhetoric, while proper anticipation of fresh
floods, which may occur early next year, has yet to be made.

So what has the Jakarta administration achieved in 2002?

It is not easy to give a big up thumbs-up to Sutiyoso and his
team. Problems which have lingered for years, such as the
disappearance of green areas, have yet to be dealt with properly.
The city administration have proven themselves incapable of
returning areas supposed to be used as open spaces to their
original function.

The luxurious Plaza Senayan and the controversial Hotel Mulia,
also in the Senayan area, are just two examples of the spatial or
zoning plan violation.

Sutiyoso has obviously also failed to uphold his
anticorruption jargon. According to the latest records, there are
currently 209 cases of alleged malfeasance involving institutions
and offices under the auspices of City Hall.

Another common mistake may be Sutiyoso's adamant exclusion of
the public in the decision-making process. The people have never
been consulted in a project planned for their district, despite
the fact that the project may disturb and interrupt the people's
lives.

Unfortunately, Sutiyoso has also turned a blind eye towards
his subordinates, allowing them to violate the capital's zoning
plan, which recommends the development of railway track as part
of ground transportation system, instead of the current 12.9-
kilometer busway project.

Judging from the fact that none of the city's crucial problems
and issues have been properly and correctly handled and resolved,
we may say that the only achievement Sutiyoso has made has been
in winning the gubernatorial seat for a second term.

Jakartans can only hope that Sutiyoso's term of office will
pass soon enough, and that a new governor with a noble vision and
mission will be elected by the people.

We need a governor who can manage the metropolis of Jakarta in
the right way and direction to meet the modern demands of
development.