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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is publicly criticizing Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo for failing to make good on his campaign pledges, calling them “empty promises”.

In his opening remarks at an official meeting with ministers, non-ministerial officials and heads of state-owned enterprises — which was also attended by Fauzi — Yu-dhoyono said he was fed up with
the unrealized promises made by politicians.

“I am fed up with all the broken promises, like the promise of infrastructure construction projects in Jakarta. They were all empty promises. It’s not working,” Yudhoyono said.

He went on to lambast Fauzi, who kept his head down during the President’s speech.

“In the past 10 years many said they were committed to developing a transportation system in Jakarta, but they were all empty words,” Yudhoyono said.

Later on in the meeting Yudhoyono told government officials to make realistic plans.

“I don’t like plans with piles of documents. It is better to make them as concise as possible and easy to understand, but the most important thing of all is that the plan must be feasible,” he said.

Yudhoyono said all government officials should know all the details of their projects, like the budget, timetable and the number of laborers to be employed. He said he also wants them to be clear about which level of government should finish the job “so that the central and local governments don’t blame each other”.

Yudhoyono also called on government officials to uphold transparency and accountability.

Earlier this week the State Palace criticized the city government ‘s decision to tear down homes and businesses in Rawa Sari, Central Jakarta, for a planned green project. A plush apartment complex now stands on that cleared land.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s special staff for regional development and autonomy Velix Wanggai said residents of Rawa Sari in Cempaka Putih had rights to the land they had occupied.

Separately on Monday, the Jakarta chapter of Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party said it would not nominate Fauzi in Jakarta’s 2012 gubernatorial election.

Democratic Party Jakarta chapter secretary Irfan Gani said Monday that the city administration had had a dismal performance under Fauzi’s leadership.

“We have seen a lot of messes during his tenure. His promise to develop the city further turned out to be nothing but hot air. As a leader he has failed,” Irfan said.

Irfan also said Fauzi had not been an effective leader as indicated by his frequent spats with his deputy, Prijanto.

“He often says things that contradict his deputy’s statements. It sets a bad example and it is also unethical for leaders to fight with one another,” he said.

Irfan said Jakarta needed a leader who was willing to take risks and make unpopular decisions.

In the 2012 gubernatorial race the Democratic Party plans to back the current chair of the Democratic Party’s Jakarta chapter, Nachrowi Ramli.