The nearly completed Semanggi multi-layered Interchange Project is seen in Jakarta on Monday (24/4). The project, which cost Rp 360 billion, will be tested in July 2017. One elevated road will route vehicles from Cawang to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle while the other road goes from Slipi to Blok M. The overall progress of the project has reached 74 percent.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and Vice Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat promised to complete their remaining programs by the end of their term, which would help facilitate the governor-elect in implementing his vision, mission and programs.
The programs slated for completion include the construction of infrastructure and facilities for the 2018 Asian Games, such as the mass rapid train (MRT), light rail (LRT) and a number of sports facilities.
The construction of a velodrome, horse race track and the LRT, for example, is currently conducted by PT Jakarta Propertindo and costs about Rp 6 trillion.
For these three projects, through the 2016 revised regional budget (APBD-P), the Jakarta administration will increase government investment (PMP) to Rp 3.5 trillion.
"I want to secure it through the APBD-P. The PMP budget for these projects should be available. It should be included,” Basuki said in Jakarta, Friday (21/4).
Other programsto be completed include the Lansia Jakarta card for the elderly in need of financial assistance, the management transfer of bus stops and terminals to PT Transjakarta and the home renovation (bedah) program.
"Every subdistrict has data of houses that will be renovated. The home renovation will be financed by corporate social funds. There are already memorandums of understanding with a number of companies," Djarot said.
River management
Another program on the agenda concerns the relocation of citizens. This year, the South Jakarta municipal administration will acquire 700 meters of land in Bukit Duri for the Ciliwung River normalization project.
Relocation efforts were delayed because of the Jakarta gubernatorial election. "Within the next several weeks, there will be a relocation of residents to apartments," said South Jakarta Mayor Tri Kurniai.
Former residents of the Ciliwung River who have been relocated to simple rental apartments expect a cut in rental rates and demand ownership of the apartments.
"We hope the cost of rent can be lowered," said Sarifudin, 55, a resident at RusunawaWest Jatinegara. He spends around Rp 600,000 per month for electricity and water.
In addition to physical infrastructure, the Jakarta administration should ensure that the drafting of the regional budget remains transparent. The budgeting system is "locked" through e-budgeting, electronic planning and development (e-musrenbang), with budget documents based on the General Policy of Budget and Priority of the Provisional Budget Ceiling (KUA-PPAS) as guidelines for drawing up the regional budget.
The KUA-PPAS includes a policy ensuring that revenues, expenditure and financing, as well as program plans, priorities and fund amounts, such as the APBD, would not be easily changed. "The filling of documents must also be easily controlled. The amount of money used can also be seen," said Basuki.
Presumptive Jakarta vice governor Sandiaga Uno said he would not comment on the changes of the 2017 Jakarta budget. He was waiting for the official announcement by the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) of the election result.
"All activities related to preparation, whether budget or otherwise, will only be discussed after the announcement of the KPU Jakarta in May," Sandi said (Kompas, 22/4).
Members of the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) had different reactions. A member of Commission B in charge of the economy, Yuke Yurike of the PDI-P Faction, said all priority programs of the incumbent governor should be continued in October by the new governor.
Meanwhile, the Gerindra Party chairman at the Jakarta regional house, Abdul Ghoni, said the programs carried out by the incumbent administration must be reviewed.
Cool atmosphere
Answering journalists\' questions on the sidelines of his working visit in Manado, North Sulawesi, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said he was convinced that the divisive atmosphere of the Jakarta election would gradually dissipate.
"Within a week at the longest, the rifts will gradually disappear and I\'m sure there will be no more rifts. The people will return to normal life as usual. That\'s what I have observed in various regional elections so far," Kalla said, adding that there was still one year to ease tensions before preparing for the simultaneous regional elections in 2018.
"There is still time to eliminate primordial issues of the government and other components of society. I do not think there are any more [issues]," Kalla said.
Regarding foreign media comments suggesting thatthe Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno pair will be heavily influenced by radical supporters, he rejected the idea.
“It is not always in line. Look at US President Donald Trump\'s supporters. Are they also hard-line like the president they chose?"Kalla said.
The Jakarta governor has expectations to become the guardian of plurality in Jakarta. "That will be the guideline," Kalla said.
