JAKARTA - Ali Sadikin's leadership style often invites controversy. As the Governor of DKI Jakarta (1966-1977), Ali was known for his tough leadership style. He often gets angry when his subordinates are wrong or cheating. Ali did not even hesitate to punch those who disturb Jakarta's order, from reckless drivers to pickpockets. Ali's habit after pouring out anger is to apologize and make corrections.
Jakarta was once dubbed the Tersial City by expatriates because in the 1960s the capital was so slum. Unorganized settlements, garbage, potholes and dusty roads are a problem. Soekarno's option to change governors was carried out. The son of the Dawn wants to see Jakarta as he had always dreamed of, as a beacon of the nation's struggle.
Soekarno's hopes failed many times. Those who were chosen to lead Jakarta never satisfied him. Bung Karno even looked for a captain for Jakarta from various backgrounds. Bung Karno then shifted his choice to the military. Bung Karno's choice narrowed down to a name known to be stubborn. He is Ali Sadikin.
“Ali Sadikin is a tough person. The person is loud in Dutch, some even say, he is koppige vent, koppig (stubborn man). I think that in terms of managing Greater Jakarta, this is also good, een beetje koppigheid (a little stubborn).”
"That's fine, especially ndoro den aju ndoro den aju already knows, you can't throw garbage at will in front of the house on the side of the road. a little stubborn, a little koppig," said Bung Karno at Ali's inauguration at the State Palace, April 28, 1966.
Bung Karno's choice was not wrong. Ali probably had no experience running a city government. But Ali wants to learn. In leading Jakarta, he used his discipline as a Major General of the Navy well. Day and night Ali Sadikin blusukan exploring remote areas of Jakarta alone. He also took a city bus, entered the market, and the slums.
All of this was done by Ali in order to get a direct picture of the root of the problems facing Jakarta. He has a willingness to listen and learn something new. The results of his observations became provisions for changing Jakarta. Ali gave birth to a variety of solutions, from brilliant to controversial. Regardless, Ali's policy-making cannot be shaken. Dentist Nani Sadikin's husband is doing what he thinks is right. Jakarta has changed a lot because of it.
“The key to this lies in the person of Ali Sadikin. He is known as a hard-hearted person. And even someone who knows him closely says, he can be very stubborn. If he already believes in something, then everything he is willing to risk to carry it out. But besides this he has a very fresh sense of humor. He doesn't take himself too seriously."
“He can laugh at himself. This is the healthiest joint of humor. Ali Sadikin has also proven himself to be quick and intelligent. Can catch and understand the problem. In addition, he has the ability to dare to take decisions (even if they are controversial), and dare to take responsibility for his actions and decisions," wrote Mochtar Lubis in the book Ali Sadikin: Displacing and Building (1977).
Ali Sadikin's overflowing emotions
Ali Sadikin's success in leading Jakarta could not be separated from his tough leadership style. He is known as a regional head who likes to get angry. The swear words "sontoloyo," "stupid," and "monkey" were the ones that often came out of Ali Sadikin's mouth. In addition, not infrequently Ali also punched those who were judged to be over the limit.
The targets of Governor Monkey's anger -- one of Ali's nicknames -- varied. Sometimes it is spilled over to his subordinates. Not infrequently Ali vents anger at random people, whoever he judges can damage the image of Jakarta which is moving from The Big Village to become a Metropolitan City.
Djawatan Kereta Api --now PT. Kereta Api Indonesia-- once the target of Ali's anger. The Ministry of Railways' slowness in moving the turn signal boxes and railroad tracks made Ali Sadikin's emotions boil. The boxes interfere with Jakarta's traffic. However, Ali Sadikin was not angry at people, but at his mistakes.
“This is a slow and bureaucratic colonial way of working,” said Ali Sadikin.
The reckless driver was also scolded by him. Civilian drivers who used to drive military-owned vehicles were the ones most frequently reprimanded. They, said Ali Sadikin, have no manners. Civilian drivers driving military vehicles lack humanity and compassion. On the streets the drivers are reckless with the act of being more than a member of the military.
Ajian Ali to stop the arbitrary behavior of civilian drivers is none other than acting hard. He once stopped a military truck carrying eight tons of sand. The driver's reckless actions angered Ali. Without saying a word Ali threw a slap. Not once, but many times.
“In the car, I was still grumbling. It was thought that because he was already in the Armed Forces, he could do whatever he wanted. In fact it should be the other way around. He must set a good example to the people. Especially discipline is needed in all fields,” recalled Ali Sadikin as written by Ramadhan KH in the book Bang Ali: Demi Jakarta 1966-1977 (1992).
The same applies to pickpockets and touts at the Lapangan Banteng Terminal, whose presence is considered to have damaged Jakarta's image. Ali also chose to be involved in helping control through raid operations. Those caught in the raid were asked to line up. After that, Ali Sadikin sadikin slapped him one by one. They were then asked to appear before Ali Sadikin at the City Hall. Those who are difficult to manage immediately get a raw bogem from Ali Sadikin.
“But there is something that makes Ali Sadikin not hated: he wants to apologize. He can see his own weaknesses and the weaknesses of others. In Banteng Square he knew that the person who made a living in a rough and chaotic manner was not a guilty person. He needs to be more patient. The culprit is poverty. Not long after, in Banteng Square a nice and neat bus station was built. Former brokers were given jobs there. It is a comfortable place for anyone,” concluded Goenawan Mohamad in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled Aladin (2008).
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