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Doubts raised over agglomeration council's ability to solve Jakarta's problems
The Jakarta Agglomeration Council in the proposed Jakarta special designation bill would need huge funding and authority if authorities want it to be effective in helping solve the city's perennial problems such as traffic and flooding, urban experts have said.
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Vehicles are stuck in traffic congestion on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Jakarta on March 19, 2024. (Antara/Erlangga Bregas Prakoso)
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olicymakers are set to push for the establishment of the Jakarta Agglomeration Council to coordinate and oversee urban development projects in the city and its surrounding regions in a draft bill, but experts are skeptical the new body will be the solution to Jakarta’s various perennial issues.
The idea of the council has been touted as the government and House of Representatives begin the deliberation on the Jakarta special designation bill, which seeks to provide a legal framework for the city’s position when it loses its capital city status this year.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration is seeking to begin relocating the nation’s capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan by the middle of this year.
During the deliberation, the government and lawmakers agreed to form an agglomeration council to coordinate, monitor and evaluate urban development plans managed by regional administrations in the Jakarta Agglomeration.
The expanded administrative area encompasses Bogor regency and municipality, Bekasi regency and municipality, Cianjur regency and Depok municipality, all in West Java, as well as Tangerang regency and municipality and South Tangerang municipality in Banten.
Read also: House, govt agree to place new Jakarta council under president
Home Minister Tito Karnavian said the council would help authorities address various urban issues plaguing Jakarta for decades, such as flooding, traffic, waste management and air pollution.
