The Silence Of Anies In The Polemic Of The Demolition Of The Sudirman Permanent Bike Path

Photo illustration (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is the most awaited person in the debate over the plan to demolish a permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin. However, until now Anies has been silent. Why?

Initially, Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR Ahmad Sahroni asked the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit, to review the permanent bicycle lane created by Anies. Sahroni asked for the path with the concrete barrier to be dismantled. Sigit agreed to the proposal.

"In principle, related to bicycle lanes, we will continue to look for the right formula. We agree that the permanent (lane) problem should be dismantled," he said during a working meeting at the DPR RI Building, some time ago.

Several parties voiced. Member of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra Faction, Fadli Zon, supports the existence of a permanent bicycle lane. "I think the bicycle lanes in Jakarta are good, don't dismantle them," tweeted Fadli Zon.

Politicians' opinions

Meanwhile, two views also emerged in the Kebon Sirih Parliament. Member of the PDIP faction of the DKI DPRD, Gilbert Simanjuntak, agreed with National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo's wish that the permanent bicycle lane be dismantled.

Gilbert said that from the beginning of planning to the construction of the bicycle lane, Anies did not involve discussions with members of the DPRD. He admitted that he understood that the Rp30 billion cost for the construction of the line did not use APBD funds and came from CSR. But still he wants the DPRD to be involved.

Gilbert gave the example of former DKI Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), whom he considers more wise in using CSR funds to build public facilities that are more needed by many parties. More generally, Gilbert thought.

Former DKI Jakarta Governor Ahok (Instagram/@btp)

"In the previous governor's period, CSR funds were used to build flats up to the Semanggi Bridge. But this is used to make permanent bicycle lanes and bicycle monuments," said Gilbert.

On the other hand, member of the PAN faction of the DKI DPRD Farazandi Fidiniansyah criticized the wishes of Sahroni, Sigit, and supporters of the demolition of the permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin. According to him, this plan is not wise in harmonizing road users.

"If every time there is a polemic related to policies related to the construction of transportation facilities in Jakarta, the solution is dismantled, we consider this unwise," said Farazandi.

Farazandi said that Anies' goal to create a permanent bicycle lane was to increase the culture of using bicycles as a means of transportation. The more cyclists commute, the use of emission private vehicles will also decrease. This transformation, according to Farazandi, is what Anies wants.

The provincial government focuses on COVID-19

Photo illustration (Source: Antara)

Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria responded to this polemic. He said the DKI Provincial Government would consider the proposal from the DPR and the National Police Chief to dismantle a permanent bicycle lane on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman-MH Thamrin.

"Now there is a desire from the members of the council to be demolished, then the National Police Chief conveys that he agrees, later we will study it again, we will see again," said Riza.

Basically, the DKI Provincial Government wants to facilitate all road users, both pedestrians, cyclists, motorized vehicle users, to public transportation. And if ideal public road management requires vehicle clustering, wouldn't permanent bicycle lanes be the way to go?

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has created a bicycle lane in order to provide opportunities for bicycle users to have their own lane, so that it is not disturbed and does not interfere with users of other modes of transportation, because it is limited and regulated," he said.

However, Anies has so far been reluctant to respond to Sahroni and Sigit's desire to dismantle the permanent bicycle lane. Anies said that he is currently more concerned with handling COVID-19 in the capital, given the spike in transmission after the Eid holiday. Jakarta is precarious, said Anies.

"We are all focused on the problem of handling COVID-19. So many of our relatives have been exposed. We are all focused on safety," said Anies at DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Friday, June 18.

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

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