The City of Jakarta turned 484 years old on 22 June 22 2011. As the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta is the largest city in the country. Because a great number of government, economic, social, and cultural activities are still centralized in the capital, Jakarta undoubtly is a populous city, with no less than 9.5 million residents in 2011.
But, as the largest city in Indonesia, it does not make Jakarta the most comfortable city in the country. In term of the feasibility of living in Jakarta, as measured by the national standards, according to a survey in 2009, Jakarta was ranked 7th of 26 cities in Indonesia. Meanwhile, when compared to international cities, according to a Mercer Consulting Group survey in 2009, in terms of compliance with eligibility standards of living for its citizens, Jakarta was ranked 140 out of 215 cities in the world.
The fulfillment of citizens’ basic rights becomes crucial because it is mandatory for the government to do it. The criterion of good governance is also determined by how far the government can perform the task to fulfill the basic rights of its citizens. This edition of the Indonesian Update raises a main theme on the problems of fulifilling the basic rights of Jakartans.
This edition also talks about several important topics in the political and social fields. In politics, it discusses the electoral prospects of the Democratic Party after the Nazaruddin case emerged and Ruyati and protection for the Indonesian migrant workers. In social affairs, it talks about Jakarta’s environmental space, MDGs achievements, and the transportation problems in Jakarta.
The regular publication of the Indonesian Update with its actual themes is expected to help policy makers in the government and the business sector, academicians, and international think tanks get actual information and contextual analyses on economic, political, social, and cultural developments in Indonesia.
Happy reading!