Tough decisions needed to solve city’s multiple problems: Ahok

Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said on Monday that the city administration would never make compromises that could potentially hamper its efforts to solve problems in the capital.

He was talking to various urban groups, including Indonesia Berkebun (Indonesia Farming), Bike To Work, the Road Safety Association and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), in the second public hearing held as part of an interactive forum initiated by Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, called Rembug Provinsi 2013 (provincial discussion) aimed at meeting public aspirations.

During Monday’s session, the representatives delivered their complaints, ranging from a request to access idle land belonging to the city administration for communal farming to building-permit violations.

Jokowi talked to 1,500 residents from across the capital last week in the first public hearing.

Concluding the session, Ahok said that urban issues would never be solved without taking risks.

“Frankly, what each of you delivered to me were only tidbits of the capital’s general problems about which I am already aware. I helped former governor Sutiyoso for a year and when I was installed as deputy governor I was immediately presented with at least 22 studies on the capital’s issues, including the alternative solutions. What we need is the guts to actually do it,” he said.

Ahok acknowledged that during the first year of his and Jokowi’s leadership, the pairing had made a number of unpopular decisions which were often met with opposition from stakeholders.

“I was rebuked by my political party for introducing unpopular policies, including relocating street vendors as they would be potential voters in the upcoming legislative election next year, but it doesn’t matter. I have vowed to do my duties as deputy governor, meaning that I have to put the city’s interests above anything. It takes determination to solve Jakarta’s issues and I am not afraid of anything,” the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) politician said.

“Pak Governor and I have agreed to carry on with our programs. We realize that we may even be dismissed by our respective political parties, but we have nothing to lose even if we might not win reelection,” he added.

During the first year of Jokowi’s leadership, the administration relocated hundreds of street vendors occupying streets in busy areas to nearby market buildings belonging to city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, as well as relocating squatters occupying public areas to nearby low-cost apartments.

The relocations were often met with opposition, including from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which protested against the deployment of the police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) during the relocations.

Ahok promised that the city administration would not relocate street vendors or squatters unless it provided a solution.

“We are building traditional markets, to which we will relocate street vendors in the capital. We are also building as many low-cost apartments as possible so we can relocate squatters,” he said, adding that “like it or not, Jakarta residents have to deal with the fact that we should adjust to a vertical-living lifestyle.”

The public hearings, however, were deemed ineffective by business representatives.

Sarman Simanjorang of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said that the city should establish thematic forums to discuss city issues. “Business people have a lot to discuss with the city, but I didn’t get a chance to talk in the forum. Maybe next time the city should establish different forums to accommodate different interests,” he said.