The DKI Provincial Government is considered not yet focused on handling Jakarta's problems

DKI Jakarta DPRD provided recommendations on the report, Friday (3/5/2024). Recommendations come from five existing commissions.

Commission A urges the Jakarta Provincial Government to optimize its assets to contribute to the region's original revenue (PAD) and take a firm stance towards developers who have not delivered social and public facilities as compensation for land use designation permit, land use allocation permit, and space utilization principle permit.

Commission B emphasizes that the Jakarta Provincial Government must create work programs that have an impact or benefit for residents. Member of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council Budget Committee, Neneng Hasanah, stated that in the accountability report, the measured benefit indicators have not been seen yet, but are still limited to the level of budget absorption.

One of the recommendations is to reconsider the plan for increasing public transportation tariffs. Instead, it suggests making public transportation free with the hope that more people will switch from private vehicles.

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A Transjakarta bus waits for passengers to board at the Lebak Bulus Transjakarta Bus Stop, Jakarta, Friday (19/4/2024).

Commission C also emphasized the same thing to the Jakarta Provincial Government. Heru and his team were asked to improve their performance and create a realistic work plan because the target achievement rate is still low. For example, the Calculation of Budget Surplus (SiLPA) for 2023 reached Rp 6.54 trillion due to the unabsorbed budget for programs and activities that have an impact on the delayed utilization of programs for residents.

Commission D is pushing for land or assets that have been cleared to be turned into green open spaces, as their coverage currently only amounts to 5.2 percent of the total area. Commission E is requesting the construction of Child-Friendly Integrated Public Spaces near densely populated settlements, so that their benefits can be directly felt by residents.

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Public policy observer from Trisakti University, Trubus Rahadiansyah, stated that Heru has been tasked with addressing traffic congestion, floods, and spatial planning as acting governor. These three tasks have not been optimal or shown significant changes.

“Indeed, transportation alternatives are increasing. Jaklingko reaches residential areas. "But there are no new policies to overcome traffic jams," said Trubus, Sunday (5/5/2024).

The same goes for flood management and spatial planning. So far, Jakarta has often been flooded by local rainfall or water coming from upstream.

According to Trubus, this is happening because Heru and his staff are not focused on the issue. This could happen because of the political year (the 2024 Election and local elections), the transition of the capital city from Jakarta to a region in East Kalimantan, and other related matters.

"The provincial government is concerned about Jakarta's role in the agglomeration. Should it follow its neighbors or set an example as a supporter? Furthermore, where should Jakarta be taken as the center of the economy and a global city," said Trubus.

Performance

Heru, in his report, stated that the overall revenue of the region was realized well. However, there are several components of the regional tax achievement that are less than 90 percent, such as the cost of acquiring rights to land and buildings which is one of the types of regional taxes that are difficult to project, as well as the implementation of a new electronic system which will be implemented at the end of semester I-2023.

Reportedly, the regional revenue for the year 2023 is Rp 71.06 trillion (100.57 percent) or exceeding the planned amount of Rp 70.66 trillion. Its realization consists of regional original income (PAD) amounting to Rp 49.13 trillion (101.44 percent), transfer income of Rp 20.15 trillion (99.68 percent), and other legitimate regional income of Rp 1.76 trillion (88.46 percent).

The next report on regional spending at the end of 2023 reached Rp 66.77 trillion (92.55 percent) of the target of Rp 72.14 trillion, and regional financing amounted to Rp 8.88 trillion (99.90 percent) of the target of Rp 8.89 trillion. This financing comes from the remaining budget calculation surplus (silpa) from the previous year of Rp 8.60 trillion, domestic loans of Rp 286 billion, and loan returns of Rp 190 million.

The realization of expenditure financing amounting to IDR 6.63 trillion (89.56 percent) of the planned IDR 7.41 trillion. This expenditure includes, among others, capital injection into regional government-owned enterprises of IDR 4.83 trillion and payment of domestic loan principal from the central government amounting to IDR 1.80 trillion.

From the realization of regional income, regional expenditure and regional financing, the silpa at the end of 2023 will be IDR 6.54 trillion.

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The late afternoon atmosphere at the Brigif reservoir in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta on Sunday (5/5/2024). Besides serving as a flood control system and river overflow space, Brigif is now also functioning as a green open space and public area.

This budget resulted in a number of work achievements. In March 2023, the poverty rate decreased by 0.17 percent to 4.44 percent compared to September 2022. This was driven by improvements in several macroeconomic indicators, such as economic growth and reduced unemployment.

It is known that the open unemployment rate was 6.53 percent in August 2023. This figure decreased by 0.65 percent or 22,800 people from the previous year. One of the reasons for this decline is the job placement program, which saw 1,732 job seekers get employed through job fairs in five administrative regions.

Another performance is the distribution of the Smart Jakarta Plus Education Card assistance to 674,599 students and the Jakarta Outstanding Student Card for 19,042 students.

Another example, there should be no need to deactivate KTP. This could coincide with changing KTPs from the capital city to special areas.

Next, the water resource management program involves the normalization and restoration of a 7 km river, increasing the water storage capacity by a volume of 269,355 cubic meters, ensuring that 63.99 percent of the beaches in the Thousand Islands are free from abrasion, and 87.12 percent of flood handling is done within two hours.

Heru stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government is also building a suitable residential area with an occupancy rate of 88.19 percent. The decrease in slum settlements is now at 9.2 percent due to the area's arrangement with a total area of 1,187 hectares in six administrative regions.

Trubus stated that this achievement looks good on paper. However, there are still many issues in practice. For example, Jakarta needs accurate data to have real numbers on the number of poor citizens and unemployed individuals.

"Another example, it should not be necessary to deactivate the ID card. This can be done in conjunction with the replacement of ID cards from the Capital City to the special regions," said Trubus.