The governor's next hurdle

Most governors of Jakarta have always been popular and loved and remembered by the people. They were given nicknames as a token of affection, like Bung Nolly (for Gen. Cokropranolo, who passed away several days ago), Bang Ali (the very popular marine corps general, Ali Sadikin, who turned politician and head of the Petition Group of 50).

Ali Sadikin changed the face of Jakarta to look like a metropolis with its skyscrapers and well-planned road system. But what I want to mention in this letter is our present governor, who seems to make lots of policy mistakes and causes unnecessary problems. He is so inconsistent in his planning that it seems he acts first and thinks later.

The first was car stickers to be purchased to gain admittance to certain streets, but it seems the regulation was not properly prepared and the public protested the plan.

In Singapore, at certain hours you have to buy stickers to gain entry to certain roads. The number of people in the car is irrelevant. This regulation is strictly adhered to and earn money for the government.

His biggest blunder is the case of becak (pedicabs). These vehicles have been forbidden in Jakarta for a long time and people got used to their absence. But suddenly the governor decided to allow the pedicab to operate again in Jakarta. Pedicab drivers flocked to Jakarta, spending money to buy their vehicles and transport them to Jakarta in the hope of earning money in these very difficult times.

They came from all over Java. But after a few days, the governor banned the pedicab and here the trouble started.

In the first place, why did the governor allow pedicabs to operate here again after they were banned ages ago by his predecessors?

Trouble started, pedicab drivers staged demonstrations, and offices in West Jakarta were burned down and destroyed. Unnecessary problems have been created at a time when peace and order are desperately needed.

I think he stated that he knew the identity of the rioters in Glodok, but when pressed for details he said that what he meant was that he knew from where they came.

Another thing which is difficult to understand is his decision to allow the ex-president's grandson to participate in the operation of PAM water company. But this has been canceled because it was clearly related to corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Now the governor is going to face the biggest test of his career. All the previous problems are nothing compared to the problem he faces next. According to reports, Soeharto has built a residence in the compound of the museum in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, which was completed in 1993. An official of the Jakarta governor's office claims that the building has no building permit (IMB) and the necessary taxes have not been paid. What is the governor going to do? He knows that everybody is equal before the law and at this time of reform everybody is expected to get equal treatment before the law. We know that the government is going to act firmly and resolutely against all kinds of violations irrespective of the position of the violators.

Mr. Governor, be brave, in this particular case we are all behind you and watching, so don't feel lonely!

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta