[Kabar-indonesia] 7 Jakarta Reports: PKS governor candidates; Tap water theft; 'Old Town'

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

7 JP Jakarta Reports: 

- PKS undecided over governor candidates 
- Residents steal tap water in Karawaci 
- Bureaucracy hampers 'Old Town' 
  development 
- Man reports alleged malpractice 
- Navy wannabe caught red-handed 
- Fauzi whips up funds for 'kerak telor' 
- 'Only true Jakartans get all the aid' 

The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

PKS undecided over governor candidates 

JAKARTA: The Jakarta chapter of the Prosperous Justice Party admitted they 
missed the party's deadline to name candidates for the 2007 gubernatorial 
elections, its chairman said Sunday.

Triwisaksana, as quoted by Antara, said the party was being extra careful in 
selecting the candidates and therefore they were unable to come up with 
definite names to represent them by the June end deadline. 

"There are aspects to be judged: integrity, capability, resources, network 
and public acceptance," he said. 

Triwisaksana did not want confirm who the likely candidates were, although 
there are names associated with the party currently in office such as City 
Council Speaker Ahmad Heryawan, councillor Igo Ilham, retired army generals Bibit 
Waluyo and Agus Wijoyo and National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Adang 
Daradjatun. 

Party executives had recently withdrawn their support for Jakarta Deputy 
Governor Fauzi Bowo and actor Rano Karno -- both Betawi natives -- to back 
candidates with a more global campaign vision. 

"The coming Jakarta gubernatorial election is an important step for us 
because our winning here will be a reflection of a total achievement at the national 
level. Jakarta is our barometer," Triwisaksana told party executives at 
Sunday's gathering. --JP 

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

Residents steal tap water in Karawaci 

TANGERANG: Tangerang regency tap water company PDAM Tirta Kerta Raharja 
intends to report 400 residents of Perumnas Karawaci housing complex to the police 
because they had allegedly tampered with the meters to avoid paying water 
bills.

The company spokesman Anda Suhanda said Saturday that the tap water theft 
case by 400 customers was found after a monitoring team conducted surveys at the 
housing complex recently. 

He said the modus operandi of water theft used by the customers ranged from 
disabling the meters to cutting off water pipes. 

"We cannot tolerate this anymore because it has caused financial losses to 
us," he said, adding that the company would fine the customers and cut the water 
supply to their homes. 

However, he was unable to say how much the water theft had cost the 
company. --JP 

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

Bureaucracy hampers 'Old Town' development 

Annissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A tree has grown inside Kota Bawah building in Jakarta's "old town" strip, 
Kali Besar in West Jakarta. Its roots are invading corners of the interior as 
sunlight peeks through the decaying roof.

Meanwhile, just across the road, inside the Cipta Niaga building, the ceiling 
of the second floor is already rotting, while parts of what used to be door 
and window frames are stacked in a corner. 

"It is costly to fix the buildings in accordance with proper heritage 
conservation methods," complained one of the building owners in the area who asked 
for anonymity. 

"On top of that, we have to go through complicated and lengthy procedures 
before we can make any changes," he said. "And of course, during the process, we 
have to pay various fees." 

Owning a heritage building is not only a matter of pride. 

There is the unwanted bonus of pricey maintenance, one that has been a major 
setback in the revitalization of the historical area. 

The Jakarta Spatial Planning Agency had mulled earlier a series of incentives 
for investors interested in restoring the old buildings, ranging from tax 
cuts to relaxation of several building regulations. 

However, the effort to streamline the issuance of renovation permit 
procedures is not on the list. 

Cofounder of heritage community Walibatu, Grace Pamungkas revealed that the 
burden of owning culturally valuable buildings was not only the high land and 
building taxes. 

"When they need to fix parts of the buildings, they have to go through a more 
complicated procedure," she added. 

Grace explained that owner of one of the buildings in Kali Besar Timur who 
wanted to fix his roof was asked to pay an amount for the renovation permit that 
exceeded the budget for the repair work itself. 

"He ended up leaving his roof to rot because he could not afford to pay for 
the permit," she added. 

According to a city regulation on cultural heritage, the owner of such a 
property must consult with the Jakarta Culture and Museums Agency and Jakarta 
Conservation Team before making any physical changes to the buildings. 

After the design of the changes has been approved by all related parties, the 
agency will issue a recommendation for the owner to process the building 
conservation permit with the Jakarta Building Planning Supervision Agency. 

Both legal and illegal fees await the owners at each phase. 

Aside from that, building owners must also pay for maintenance of their 
neighborhood, from the pavement to street lighting. 

"We have to admit that until now there has not been a strong enough reason 
for heritage building owners to preserve their property aside from a romance 
with the past," pointed out the architectural heritage researcher. 

"How long can that survive against the city's economic forces?" said Grace. 

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

Man reports alleged malpractice 

Ary Hermawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A man has filed a malpractice lawsuit Saturday against a doctor at a hospital 
in Depok after his stomach swelled like a "pregnant woman's" since being 
operated on at the hospital last year. 

Thomas Saepul, 36, said he went to the Bhakti Yudha Hospital in Depok on Dec. 
1, to receive treatment for continuous stomach pain. 

"When I got there, a doctor took my blood and urine sample and asked me to 
fast. In the afternoon, they did the operation. 

"I was treated at the hospital for 13 days without knowing what my illness 
was and why I had to undergo surgery," Thomas said. 

Short of money, he left the hospital and went home, only to suffer the pain 
he had before, and to see his stomach gradually distend. 

"My wife has to give me massages now, and I feel like I'm a disabled person 
who can barely more every day when I wake up in the morning," he said. 

Thomas, accompanied by a representative of the non-governmental organization, 
the Health Legal Aid Foundation (LBHK), reported the case to the police. "I 
just want my stomach back to normal," Thomas said. 

Nia Yuniasih of the LBHK said her client would charge the doctor with 
violating the 1992 Health Law by not telling the patient what condition he had 
suffered from. "He must be held responsible for what he has done," she said. She did 
not detail Thomas' condition. 

Hospital management and the doctor could not be reached for comment. 

The Jakarta Police have received more than 80 reports of malpractice cases 
from patients this year but none have yet been taken to court. 

Last month, Herlina, a mother of two, filed a negligence suit against a 
doctor at the Koja Hospital in North Jakarta, identified only as WN. Herlina 
alleges WN's treatment caused her to suffer a miscarriage. 

"We usually fail in coming up with the evidence (to prosecute the cases). 
It's hard to determine whether a doctor has committed malpractice," city police 
spokesman I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana told The Jakarta Post 

"We often involve experts from medical universities and the (Indonesian 
Doctors Association) IDI to help us investigate such cases. We can't take those 
cases to the courts if experts can't help us corroborate the allegations," he 
said. 

Ketut denied claims the police were unwilling to deal with malpractice cases 
or had deliberately obstructed their investigation. "We just can't prove them 
ourselves," he said. 

People who believe they are victims of medical malpractice can also report 
their cases to the Indonesian Medical Disciplinary Council.

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

Navy wannabe caught red-handed 

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Friday was definitely the wrong day for Navy officer wannabe Dedi Reyaldi to 
be lazing around at the home of his first wife in Gading Serpong, Tangerang.

The Naval Military Police arrested the phony major who has been operating 
since 1999, confiscating a pistol, 45 bullets and several vehicles bearing Navy 
plate numbers, a statement from the Navy Information Agency said. 

Antara reported the investigation that led the to arrest began after several 
locals reported the "suspicious behavior" of a Navy officer to Navy Military 
Police head Brig. Gen. Sapardi. 

A task force later formed three separate teams to spy on Dedi's activities in 
the residences of his first and second wives in Gading Serpong, Tangerang and 
Sunter Agung, North Jakarta respectively. They also monitored his movements 
at a commodity traders office in Gading Tiga. 

The investigation revealed that Dedi had been posing as a Navy officer to 
further his business. 

At his first wife's house, military police confiscated a Navy field uniform, 
identity card and a Czechoslovakian-made browning gun and 45 bullets. 

Expensive vehicles painted gray with special Navy license plates were also 
found at the house. 

In two other places, the team found pictures of the suspect in Navy uniform 
and holding a Russian-made hand grenade. 

Dedi's operation was assisted by a real Navy officer, First Sgt. Imron, who 
has already been arrested. 

The police are also questioning Kristian Lais, a witness who worked as the 
suspect's driver. 

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

Fauzi whips up funds for 'kerak telor' 

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo bid the highest for the largest kerak 
telor, a traditional Betawi omelette made of duck eggs, at the city's month-long 
Jakarta Fair, for the staggering price of Rp 100 million (US$11,031).

The 120-centimeter diameter omelette, around 100 times the normal size, 
served more than 50 people. The treats are usually sold for Rp 10,000 a portion. 

Fauzi, who has been nominated for Jakarta governor in the 2007 elections, 
held his ground against the likes of other hungry bidders, including singer 
Titiek Puspa and Murdaya Po, the husband of fair coordinator, Hartati Murdaya. 

Titiek was prepared to pay Rp 25 million for the omelette, while Murdaya was 
ready to let go Rp 35 million for the giant snack. 

After tight bidding, Fauzi eventually won the traditional food by paying the 
Rp 100 million, which will be donated to Betawi communities. 

Fauzi also joined those feasting on the dish when it was given to the fair 
visitors. 

"Wow, it's delicious ... congratulations to the makers!" said Fauzi, a Betawi 
native, to applause. 

Committee members then struggled to keep many other hungry Betawi natives at 
bay. 

"Don't fight! Don't fight! It's still hot," they cried. 

Fauzi, in his speech to the fair, said the making of the kerak telor by four 
chefs showed what working together could achieve. 

"If we wish to successfully produce something, we have to cooperate by 
getting along with each other," Fauzi said. 

"We will all prosper if we work together." 

According to news portal detikcom, the kerak telor was made with 479 eggs, in 
accordance with Jakarta's 479th birthday, 20 coconuts, two kilograms of dried 
prawns, and seven kilograms of coconut milk, and needed 47 minutes over a 
coal stove. 

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The Jakarta Post
Monday, July 10, 2006

'Only true Jakartans get all the aid' 

The new school year is about to begin. The Jakarta Post asked two parents 
their views about the school enrollments process this year.

Gamalan Djayahadi, 34, is human resources development officer of private 
company. He and his family live in Cinere, Depok, West Java: 

I am still having trouble entering my son, Notosuseno Atman, into Pondok Labu 
State Elementary School 07 in South Jakarta. 

I did not know that one's domicile influenced one's access to education. 

The school's principal said the Education Ministry had zoned each school to 
prioritize students closest to them. 

I was also told the school prioritized students who were seven years old. 

In a previous meeting with the school, I was informed that the school would 
only provide free tuition to those living in the Jakarta area and not for all 
students. 

It seems that the Jakarta city administration has limited its help to true 
Jakartans only. 

I still don't know whether my son has been accepted because they have not 
announced the results yet. I'm also hoping to talk to them about the admittance 
fees. 

I was told I would have to pay them after my son had attended two months of 
school. At that time we parents are supposed to discuss what school facilities 
will be constructed with the money. 

Devi Arlitawati, 44, is an employee of a private company. She and her family 
live in Karawaci, Tangerang: 

I have not had any trouble registering my daughter, Dewanti Ratnasarira, into 
the private school High/Scope Indonesia on Jl. TB Simatupang, South Jakarta. 

Registrations began in February and did not count the national test as a 
requirement. 

Dewanti's admittance was based on her results from first to fifth grade, her 
elementary school diploma was also only an additional extra because it is a 
private school. 

If I agree to put her there, I will need to pay a down-payment and settle the 
fees in four subsequent tranches. There are also those who pay all the fees 
up-front in order to get a 10 percent discount. 

The amount, aside from paying the school enrollment fee, will also cover the 
provision of uniforms and textbooks. 

I have heard that the escalating costs of education in the capital have led 
many qualified parents to decide to educate their children at home. 

--The Jakarta Post 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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