Letter: Who can fix Jakarta?

I refer to an article titled “Jakarta no longer appropriate as capital,” (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 25) and a number of comments from the readers about this issue.

Logically I’d agree with those who suggested excellent solutions. But knowing Indonesian politicians and their track records, the only option available is probably to acknowledge these politicians don’t have the skills, the drive and the vision to actually solve any problem.

The best they can do is to give up and let this historic and cultural center called Jakarta to rot and move somewhere else.

We all know it’s not that there is no solution. There are solutions and the world is filled with experts who have faced and solved the same city planning issues.

If Indonesian government has the will, I believe, problems can and will be solved. Unfortunately, the politicians here are too busy filling up their pockets with money.

Oil subsidies are a huge money making machine, the car and motorcycle industry is a huge money making machine. Who has the (courage) to step up and do something about it? City planning, mass transit projects, water sewage projects all take expert knowledge and tough people to plan and execute.

Who in any of the Indonesian ministries has the ability to carry out those tasks when ministers are appointed based on their party or religious connections and not abilities?

Unless Indonesia solves the fundamental issues of the quality of people in the government, you might as well give up and move.

Richard
Jakarta