Towards the end of his term, Governor Djarot apologizes for traffic jams in Jakarta

Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat’s journey to the top job in Jakarta was unexpected, to say the least, after having last year replaced jailed former Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who himself replaced former Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo less than midway through the latter’s term after he became president in 2014.

But Djarot’s brief term as governor is officially coming to an end on October 15, and his parting words to Jakartans are somewhat apologetic.

Speaking to Kompas, Djarot said he apologizes for not being able to tackle traffic jams — long an issue in Jakarta — during his term. However, he believes traffic jams are a necessary byproduct of poor planning in the past and a necessary evil to organize the city’s infrastructure for the future.

“I apologize for the lengthy delays (traffic jams) in Jakarta. I apologize because there are still many traffic jams. Sidewalks also haven’t been maintained properly. But if we don’t (carry out many infrastructural projects in unison), we’re done for. If we don’t do anything in two years, it will all be too late,” Djarot said, as quoted by Kompas.

Specifically, Djarot said that his administration was forced to fast track huge transportation projects, such as the mass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit (LRT) railway systems, underpasses and flyovers, as well as constructing the flyover corridor 13 for the TransJakarta. As such, traffic congestion around these construction areas is expected, but Djarot believes that it will all pay off in the long run.

“We were bold to make the decisions (to approve the projects), which is all for the future,” he said.

The central government recently estimated that Jakarta’s terrible traffic causes IDR670 trillion (US$5 billion) in losses per year. The Ministry of National Development Planning said one of the major causes for the capital’s congestions was the government’s lateness in building rail-based transportation systems such as the MRT and other transportation infrastructure.

Construction on the MRT in Jakarta was actually first discussed in the ‘80s, but the project was only finally approved after Jokowi became governor in 2012.

Djarot is to be succeeded by Governor-elect Anies Baswedan and his deputy, Vice Governor-elect Sandiaga Uno. Their official inauguration date has yet to be determined by President Jokowi.