CHALLENGES IN RESOLVING JAKARTA’S PROBLEMS
For years, Jakarta has been plagued with various issues such as floods, inaccessibility to clean water, inadequate housing, poor waste management, traffic congestion, and pollution.
“We have a slogan – Restore Jakarta. One of the ways to restore Jakarta is to develop regulations that support ecological interests,” said WALHI Jakarta environmental policy advocacy officer Syahroni Fadhil.
“For example, conduct inspections on companies that contribute to waste in the rivers. Have such environmental audits been carried out?”
Jakarta will be part of an “agglomeration” council to harmonise development plans with satellite cities such as Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Cianjur.
Urban planning expert Nirwono Joga told CNA that the council, which is mandated by the Jakarta special region law, may face challenges in trying to resolve the city’s many problems.
“The regional heads in Jabodetabekpunjur (Jakarta and its satellite cities) have different political party backgrounds and different interests. Don’t forget they have their own development agenda,” he said.
“For example, if we talk about floods and providing clean water for Jakarta, is that the same problem for them? If they are forced to take part in dealing with floods, providing clean water, what is the benefit for them, for their city, (and) for their constituents?”
