Considering there are piles of problems in the city need to be solved, Vice Jakarta Governor asks Jakarta Governor Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo not to take anymore leave after he returned working at City Hall again today. As known, Jokowi took leave for 1.5 month due to running in presidential election.

I asked him (Jokowi) not to take more leave. If he was on leave, I’m only Acting Jakarta Governor which authority is limited

“I asked him (Jokowi) not to take more leave. If he was on leave, I’m only Acting Jakarta Governor which authority is limited,” stated Basuki at City Hall, Wednesday (7/23).

Moreover, Basuki admitted has informed Jokowi about problems happening in the city currently. Among the problems discussed are public transportation arrangement done by PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta), monorail project which has no progress at all, and the plan to revoke fuel (BBM) subsidy in Jakarta.

“I told him that if Jakarta had enough bus later, I want to stop fuel subsidy in Jakarta. I also asked for roads in Jakarta to be given to Jakarta Provincial Government to ease the management,” he said.

Indeed, when opening discussion on Law No. 29/2007 Revision held at City Hall, Tuesday (7/22), Basuki had conveyed his wish to have national roads given to Jakarta Provincial Government. Thus, their handling can be done straight away by Jakarta Public Works Department without having to go over long bureaucracy process. The same thing goes to rivers in Jakarta, so city government can do dredging without troubled by rivers that become central government’s responsibility.

In that occasion, Basuki also proposed for old buildings that are valued as cultural heritages, such as those in Kota Tua, West Jakarta, to be managed by Jakarta Provincial Government. At this time, most of old buildings in Kota Tua are owned by city-owned enterprises (BUMD). Unfortunately, they are not well-maintained. As a result, it hinders Jakarta Tourism and Culture Department in arranging Kota Tua area.

Another asset which proposed to be managed by Jakarta Provincial Government is public transportation construction in the city, including Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). For information, MRT construction is assisted by central government with debt as much as 40 percent.