Ahead of Jakarta 500 Years, Former DPRD Chair Prasetyo reminds DKI Provincial Government not to be trapped in physical developmentb 

JAKARTA - Ahead of Jakarta's 500th birthday in 2027, former Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD for the 2014-2024 period, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, reminded the local government not to focus only on physical development. According to him, the quality of human resources must be the main foundation if Jakarta wants to truly transform into a global city.

Prasetyo assessed that Jakarta's progress over the past decade was quite significant. However, there are still a number of homework that need to be completed, ranging from improving the quality of human resources, congestion, flooding, to environmental issues.

"The first is about human development as the Foundation for the Progress of Jakarta. This cannot be measured only by infrastructure and skyscrapers. But how is the quality of human data sources," said Prasetyo when met in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Thursday, June 11.

During his tenure as Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Prasetyo admitted that he was consistent in encouraging the local government to prioritize the education and health sectors. According to him, investing in human quality is the main requirement for Jakarta to be able to compete with the world's major cities.

In addition, Prasetyo highlighted the importance of developing public transportation to reduce people's dependence on private vehicles. He assessed that the intermodal integration that has been built by the DKI Provincial Government is already on the right track and needs to continue to be strengthened.

"Because I believe that this is optimal, everyone doesn't want to use their personal vehicles anymore. Everyone rides public transportation," said Prasetyo.

On the other hand, the issue of flooding is still a homework that he considers unfinished. Prasetyo admitted that the efforts to normalize the river carried out during his tenure as DPRD chairman had not been able to solve the flooding problem comprehensively.

However, he saw that the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, gave serious attention to flood control, including through the arrangement of riverbanks.

"But I see Mas Pram is very concerned and the flood points we can see have started to decrease. The point is that the arrangement of the embankment area needs to continue to be carried out by prioritizing the interests of the community and the environment," he said.

Prasetyo also assessed that environmental issues must be placed as a priority agenda before Jakarta entered its five-hundredth year. According to him, the status of a global city must be accompanied by a commitment to sustainable development.

He said that the addition of green open spaces, air pollution control, and waste management modernization should be the focus of local governments in the next few years.

"If the government is like that, public awareness in maintaining the environment needs to continue to be improved through active education and participation," he said.

Not only that, Prasetyo also highlighted the importance of transparent and responsive governance. In the midst of rapid digital technology development, he assessed that public services must be carried out professionally, openly, and accountable.

"And I am confident that under the leadership of Mas Pram and the new Chairman of the DPRD, transparency and accountability can be more optimal and can respond to the needs of the community quickly, accurately, and efficiently," he said.

Prasetyo emphasized that the 500th anniversary of Jakarta should not stop as a mere historical ceremony. This momentum must be used to strengthen the foundation of development that is oriented towards the welfare of residents and the quality of life of the people of Jakarta in the future.