The Elite Character Of Policy Makers In The Plan To Demolish The Sudirman Bike Path

JAKARTA - The working meeting of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives and the National Police gave a decision on the fate of the permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin. Both parties agreed to demolish. Again, we see how this country's policymakers act within the frame of their elitist character. Is there a scientific study that underlies this decision?

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI, on that occasion, asked the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit to review the existence of a permanent bicycle lane in Sudirman-Thamrin. Sahroni said permanent bicycle lanes increase the risk of accidents and make it difficult for other vehicles, especially in the middle of heavy traffic.

"Please, the National Police Chief and his staff, especially the Korlantas here to address the permanent route to be reviewed. If necessary, dismantle it and all road actors can use the road," said Sahroni at the Parliament Building, Senayan, Wednesday, June 16.

In addition, Sahroni said about discrimination among the bicycle community. Sahroni's expression refers to the friction that occurred during the trial period for the special road bike lane on the Non-toll Flyover (JLNT) Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang and Sudirman-Thamrin a few days ago.

Listyo agrees. The police will coordinate with the DKI Provincial Government regarding this decision. Listyo also plans to conduct comparative studies in neighboring countries to see how the arrangements regarding bicycle routes, both commuting and sports. "We will continue to look for the right formula. We agree that permanent problems should be dismantled," Listyo said.

"We will coordinate with the Ministry of Transportation and the DKI Regional Government. The Regional Police Chiefs in all regions are also doing the same thing, so that bicycle lanes for the community will still exist."

Listyo also mentioned the limitation of hours. According to Listyo, the restrictions were put in place so that the presence of bicycles would not "disturb users and other modes that use the route."

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, stated that the DKI Provincial Government would first review the plan. Riza said that in principle the DKI Provincial Government wants to provide the best facilities for all parties, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorized vehicle users, and public transportation.

"We will provide the best service. The policies taken must refer to the interests of the wider community," said Riza at the DKI DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, June 16.

What things need to be highlighted?

Thursday night, June 17th, we tried to contact Ahmad Sahroni. There was no response until this article was compiled. What is clear, there are several highlights related to this policymaking. The first is regarding Law (UU) No. 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation which requires the existence of bicycle lanes.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the Bike To Work (B2W) Advocacy Team for Indonesia, Fahmi Saimima. He said the plan to demolish the bicycle lane violated Law 22/2009, which mandates the completeness of bicycle facilities. In addition to Law 22/2009, this demolition plan also has the potential to run into Government Regulation Number 79 of 2013.

"Bicycle lane, that's the mandate of Law No. 22/2009, please if you want to go against the law made by the legislature itself," Fahmi, quoted by CNN Indonesia.

In addition to potential regulatory conflicts, the plan to demolish the bicycle lane also places a spotlight on Sahroni's bicycle club. The Executive Director of the Rujak Center for Urban Studies (RCUS) Elisa Sutanudjaja, in his Twitter account @elisa_jkt wrote: Mr. Sahroni is actually the chairman of the roadbike club. It turns out that the platoon gang is instagrammable.

Sahroni is in charge of a bicycle community called ASC Goweser. The community was inaugurated in August 2020. ASC Goweser houses many types of bicycles, including road bikes that are specific to Sahroni's special fostered unit. Last May, the ASC Cycling riders performed brilliantly at the Kowis Loop Cycling Community racing event.

Quoted by Medcom, from all categories, the cyclists assisted by Sahroni followed four categories. They managed to become champions and took home medals in three categories. "I am very proud of the achievements of the ASC Cycling team because of the six cyclists that were deployed, three of them managed to get on the podium," said Sahroni at that time.

In addition to the two things above, another issue that is in the spotlight is the issue of funds of Rp. 30 billion. Indeed, the funds are not from the DKI Jakarta APBD, so the consideration of public accountability is minimal. Funds for the construction of this permanent bicycle path come from third-party compensation.

But haven't you thought about the progress of development that has spent so much money? What is the basis for these policies? Is it based on scientific considerations? If you look at the nature of the policymakers in this country, policies are often taken based on the elitist character of the rulers.

The elitist nature of policymakers

In policymaking, the basis and considerations are important matters. And it can't be arbitrary. Incremental theory explains how ideal policies are made with accountability to reality.

This means that a policy must be made by first passing a study and based on scientific considerations. Data must be the handle.

Then what about the elimination of bicycle lanes based on reports and public unrest? Trisakti University public policy expert Trubus Rahadiansyah conveyed his views to VOI, Thursday, June 17.

"That (public report) can't (become the basis). If it's just a public report, which public is that. That has to be seen, mapped first. The definition of public is dynamic and fluid. it is clear which public."

The second consideration, in a public policy, stakeholders must have a mindset that the policy is taken for the public interest. What is the meaning of Trubus' explanation in this concept?

There are two perspectives looking at cycling culture today. First, commuter cyclists who use bicycles as their means of transportation. Second, sports cyclists. Which has more to do with the wider public interest -- beyond the cyclists themselves?

"If you want to be a public policy that is correct, the perspective must be as transportation, not sports first. For sports, find a place," Trubus.

Trubus sees a very strong power factor in this issue. And this has long been a character in policymaking. Indonesian policy, according to Trubus, has long been influenced by elitist factors.

"The scientific language is power, on power. So power is the key. Because once a policy is made, it is those with great power who decide. Like the omnibus law, it is a big power. Or the case of Abdee Slank. It's because of power."

In the context of the plan to abolish the Sudirman bicycle lane, we can see two sides of the political power involved: the DPR and the National Police Chief. "Kapolri, to become the chief of police must first fit proper test in the DPR."

These kinds of things influence decision-making. Because, after all, the policy is a political product. What is important to grow now is the awareness in the heads of the power holders to fulfill the elements of scientific reality in decision-making.

Apart from that, what else matters? Public understanding, of course. An understanding public is a public that is empowered in the control function.

*Read other information about JAKARTA or read other interesting articles from Diah Ayu Wardani and Yudhistira Mahabharata.

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