As a capital city, there are many policies and development projects belong to central government in Jakarta. Because of that, Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki T Purnama hopes that whoever chosen as the next Indonesia president to be able to cooperate with Jakarta Provincial Government in development programs.

We hope Jakarta Provincial Government to be involved in development planning in the future as well as in cabinet meetings where governor was involved back then during Soekarno’s era

Basuki admitted that all this time, Jakarta Provincial Government is having difficulties in coordinating with central government in doing development programs as well as public facility infrastructures repair. For example is when revitalizing Kota Tua area, city government was hampered because 60 percent of buildings there belong to State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN). In addition, the repair of some national roads and big rivers in Jakarta is also hampered because of central government’s authority.

“Just like Jalan Daan Mogot which kept having potholes. We wanted to repair it under the (public works) ministry, have sent letter, but (the road) never repaired. We also have sheet piled Pesanggrahan River, but the river is still not dredged,” he stated, Wednesday (7/9).

Besides improvements on public facilities, Basuki also hopes central government to be willing to coordinate on Jakarta’s necessities. For examples are additional electricity supply in Seribu Islands through Gas-Powered Electric Generator (PLTG), new airport construction, and transportation system integration in the capital city.

“We hope Jakarta Provincial Government to be involved in development planning in the future as well as in cabinet meetings where governor was involved back then during Soekarno’s era,” he uttered.

When asked about the closeness and fitness to president candidates, Basuki assessed that all candidates are good because both Prabowo and Jokowi are close enough with him, including in terms of communication.

“I can contact them both easily,” he said.