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'Disgraced' mayor Anas given second chance
Anas Effendi: (Antara)Jakarta Governor Joko âJokowiâ Widodo inaugurated Anas Effendi, who was previously demoted from a former position, as the new West Jakarta mayor on Tuesday, showing the public an example second chances in his campaign to reform the cityâs bureaucracy
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Anas Effendi: (Antara) (Antara)
Anas Effendi: (Antara)
Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo inaugurated Anas Effendi, who was previously demoted from a former position, as the new West Jakarta mayor on Tuesday, showing the public an example second chances in his campaign to reform the city's bureaucracy.
In less than two years of leadership, Jokowi has made dozens of staff transfers in the Jakarta administration. Some underperforming, high-ranking, officials have been transferred to positions that are less strategic and prestigious, a move which has been seen as a strong message of 'punishment' from the governor.
Jokowi, however, is not merciless, as Anas has experienced firsthand. Anas made headlines in local media in March last year when he was caught dozing off while Jokowi delivered a speech during a plenary session. Anas was later transferred from his post as South Jakarta mayor to a new role as the Library and Archives Agency head last year, a position much less strategic than his previous one.
Since the transfer, Anas has rarely been available for comment. An employee of the Library and Archives Agency previously said that Anas did not often show up at the office.
On Tuesday, however, Anas assumed his new post as West Jakarta mayor, replacing Fatahillah, who was appointed as West Jakarta mayor last year.
'I want to give [Anas] a second chance. He has to be better than before and he promised me that he will be,' Jokowi told reporters after the inauguration.
'Everyone, not only agency heads, deserves a second chance. Don't ever think that after dismissing [someone] from a certain post, I will not give them another chance. There's always room to grow, to improve,' he added.
Anas expressed his gratitude after the ceremony, saying that his appointment as the West Jakarta mayor happened 'because of the will of the leader and God'.
'It is only because of God's will that I have been appointed as a mayor. I am sure I can keep up with the governor's pace,' he said, adding that he would immediately start exploring West Jakarta to get to know the municipality better.
Anas added that he would focus on improving public services and the performance of his employees.
While speaking at the inauguration, Jokowi emphasized that leaders should strictly monitor the use of the city budget.
'We have a huge amount of funds. They should be well spent, so that people can see and enjoy the results,' Jokowi said.
He also called on the newly inaugurated mayor to focus on four areas in the municipality.
'I call on the new mayor to focus on four areas in West Jakarta: the Old Town, Tambora, Kalijodo and a slaughter house in Kapuk,' he said.
Jokowi is aiming to revitalize the four aforementioned locations. Tambora is the district with the highest number of fire-related incidents in West Jakarta, while Kalijodo is infamous a being center of prostitution.
Separately, Deputy Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama called on the new mayor to use the second chance well.
'[He shouldn't] ever fall asleep during a meeting even if he stayed awake all night to watch a soccer match. He also shouldn't behave in a bossy way anymore,' Ahok said. 'He's an example of those who get a second chance. He has shown remorse. He even lost weight, by up to five kilograms; he exercises now,' Ahok added.
Despite Jokowi's trademark of inaugurating municipal heads outdoors, Tuesday's ceremony was held inside the West Jakarta office's ballroom in Puri Kembangan.
