Thousand Islands set to get mayoralty status
Thousand Islands set to get mayoralty status
JAKARTA (JP): The Thousand Islands district will be elevated
in April to mayoral status.
"The decision came following the implementation of Jakarta
Provincial Administration Law No. 34/1999. The administration is
preparing for the establishment of the new mayoralty, by among
other things discussing the appointment of administrative
officials in the would-be regency," Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso
said on Friday.
Speaking after a coordination meeting with Jakarta Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Slamet Kirbiantoro and Jakarta Police chief
Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman at the city military command
headquarters in East Jakarta, Sutiyoso said the chain of islands
to the north of Jakarta would become the sixth mayoralty in the
capital.
He added that police and military precincts would also be
established on the islands.
"During the meeting, I informed the officers about the plan
because they have to be ready, too. The Jakarta Police chief has
to appoint an officer to head the police precinct there, for
example," Sutiyoso said.
The Thousand Islands, an area of 69,976 square kilometers (of
which 9,214 square kilometers is land), is a popular marine
resort. It is currently a district of the North Jakarta
mayoralty.
The House of Representatives approved in 1998 a draft law on
regional administrations, which stated the Thousand Islands would
be upgraded from a district to an administrative mayoralty.
At least 28 of the 108 islands are privately owned, while 34
are owned by private companies and used as resorts, including
Ayer and Pantara islands.
Only 11 islands are permanently inhabited by locals.
Currently the State Secretariat has the power to sell these
islands, and it is unclear whether with the implementation of Law
No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy in January next year this
authority will shift to the city administration.
Asset
The Thousand Islands is one of many assets, including Tanjung
Priok seaport and Senayan Stadium, the city administration is
trying to claim from the central government in accordance with
the implementation of regional autonomy.
In line with the area's new status as a mayoralty, the city
administration has been urged to issue detailed regulations on
land ownership in anticipation of a development boom in the
resort area.
Sutiyoso said the establishment of the new mayoralty was aimed
at improving the quality of life for residents of the area.
"Raising the status (to a mayoralty) will enhance the
administration's services to locals," he said. (asa/dja)