Criticism Of The Jabodetabek Agglomeration Council In The DKJ Bill, Anies: New Institutions Don't Necessarily Solve Problems

Presidential Candidate number 1 Anies Baswedan at his residence, Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, Tuesday, February 13. (Diah-VOI)

Presidential candidate number 1 Anies Baswedan criticized the plan to establish an Agglomeration Council in Jabodetabek led by the Vice President in the Draft Jakarta Special Region Law (RUU DKJ).

According to Anies, in overcoming the problems of Jakarta and buffer areas, there is no need to go through new institutions.

"Sometimes we create new institutions, but this new institution does not necessarily solve the real problem," said Anies in Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 13.

Anies views that in every development program that requires cooperation between regions, the central government should provide more flexibility to local governments.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta gave an example, in the flood control program, local governments in Jakarta can manage reservoirs built in buffer areas.

Likewise with the management of Transjakarta bus stops or terminals that can be built outside the region. Given, millions of residents of buffer areas also carry out activities in Jakarta every day.

"So, in fact, in my opinion, this phase is much easier to provide space for the Jakarta government to carry out activities outside the Jakarta area," said Anies.

"If I suggest, the process should be lower up. Gather those who have been managing Jakarta and its surroundings, ask what it needs. From there, this law is made to adjust," he continued.

For information, the DKJ Bill regulates the formation of the Agglomeration Regional Council led by the Vice President.

The Agglomeration Area Council is tasked with coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of programs and activities in the master plan by ministries/agencies and local governments.

The areas include Jakarta, Bogor Regency, Tangerang Regency, Bekasi Regency, Cianjur Regency, Bogor City, Depok City, Tangerang City, Kita South Tangerang, and Bekasi City.

In addition, in Article 55 of the DKJ Bill, to coordinate the implementation of spatial planning for national strategic areas in agglomeration areas and development planning documents, an Agglomeration Area Council will be formed which will be led by the Vice President (Wapres) of the Republic of Indonesia.