Joint European Business Luncheon with HE Dr. Ing Fauzi Bowo

During the Joint European Business Luncheon on 13 December, 2007, Fauzi Bowo, governor of Jakarta, stated that the financially secured underground Mass Rapid Transportation will be started at the end of next year that is hoped to be completed in 2012 and it will put into operation in 2014. The first stage will serve Lebak Bulus to Dukuh Atas area and in the second stage the lane will be continued to Kota area.
Regarding the train facility, the DKI Jakarta government is now revitalizing the original lane of the train and reactifying the so-called blue line train. Starting January 2008, an airport lane will be built which serves from Manggarai, Dukuh Atas, Tanah Abang until Soekarno Hatta airport.
The DKI Jakarta government will also completing the 15 years-neglected outer ring road from the airport to Pondok Indah area.
In relation with the flood, he emphasized that he will continue the implementation of the master plan with high priority for the Banjir Kanal Timur and rehabilitation of all the dams, lakes, and ponds in the area of Jakarta. The DKI Jakarta government is also looking for a particular study in improving the flood control system which includes a polder system in order to control the risen of the sea water level.
Concerning the public trash, the DKI Jakarta government will continue to educate the community to take care of their own trash. This has been proved to be able to reduce a small amount of trash.
With reference to the environment, Fauzi Bowo explained that if the 15 corridors of the Bus Rapid Transit, which are using gas as the fuel, are finished, other public transportation will also have to shift to gas. It will, according to him, reduce 30% of the air pollution in Jakarta within five or six years from now. Pertamina, Shell, and Petronas are showing interest in this plan. But in order to do this, they will need some incentives from the central government. He also mentioned that every car will have to do the emission test each year and there will be a car free day programme.
In response to the question of Mr. Redmer Schukken, Fauzi Bowo said that implementing of the emission test on the small medium busses will not be easy due to the fact that there are some companies in Jakarta renting automotive parts for certain hours. The government will find a more efficient and effective way in solving this problem.
In response to the question of Mr. Hartojo Wignyowijoto, Fauzi Bowo mentioned that he will apply the good governance norms and will be more transparent during his leadership as governor of Jakarta. He hopes that within five years all information regarding the city planning will be available on the internet. He also mentioned that he has started doing the project procurement via the internet. By doing this, the DKI Jakarta government has saved 15% of the cost.