Jakarta, Kartunet - The DKI Jakarta gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidate debate for the 2017-2022 period has just concluded, leaving behind sweet promises. One of the topics raised was policies for people with disabilities.
Here are some of their commitments for Jakarta's disabled residents that need to be noted and held accountable for their future execution. Candidate pair number 1, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni, emphasized that what people with disabilities need is not pity, but empowerment. They committed that if elected, they would recruit people with disabilities to become employees in the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Mpok Sylvie, as the vice-gubernatorial candidate from this pair is commonly called, even expressed a desire to see people with disabilities working at City Hall and also at Jakarta's Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD). Specifically, she stated that disabled individuals could also work, for example, in administration, as telephone operators, or in the information technology (IT) sector.
Agus Yudhoyono added that in the education sector, they would also increase the number of inclusive schools to 800 in the future. According to the author's understanding, inclusive schools should not be another term for special needs schools or SLB. This refers to general schools that use an inclusive system. Thus, every student with special needs can continue to attend general schools in their vicinity, not necessarily SLB.
Furthermore, in the infrastructure and transportation sectors, the Agus-Sylvie pair also emphasized that safe and comfortable facilities and infrastructure must be accessible to people with disabilities. Agus mentioned the construction of pedestrian bridges with ramps or inclined planes for wheelchair users, and comfortable special spaces in public transportation.
Meanwhile, candidate pair number 2, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Mr. Ahok and Djarot Saiful Hidayat, presented what they have already done and what they will continue to improve for disabled residents. Not to be outdone, they committed to fulfilling the mandate of Law No. 8 of 2016, which states that a minimum of 2 percent of DKI Provincial Government employees and 1 percent of private company employees must be people with disabilities.
Basuki specifically criticized Sylviana for saying that there were no disabled employees in DKI, and mentioned that there was a wheelchair user who became an employee and was recently given an electric wheelchair and has now moved to work at Kominfo. In the transportation sector, the incumbent pair mentioned several things they have already done. Such as building several disability-friendly bus stops and the Trans Jakarta Care car service for picking up and dropping off disabled individuals from home to accessible Trans Jakarta bus stops.
Basuki also stated that DKI is currently procuring new buses that are international standard and designed so that wheelchair users can enter them independently. These buses use suspension that allows them to tilt to one side, so with a ramp from inside the bus, wheelchair users can enter from the roadside. Additionally, the former regent of East Belitung also said he wants to create a complaint number 112, similar to the 911 model abroad.
Its function is to serve as a complaint center for any services or acts of discrimination against people with disabilities. Finally, candidate pair number 3, Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno, showed their distinct approach with a commitment to active involvement. Anies criticized his opponents, who he felt acted as if they knew all the needs of people with disabilities, stating that those who know best must therefore be involved in every policy-making process.
This pair promised to always listen to the aspirations of disabled individuals and would not leave them behind in all aspects of policy. For the transportation sector, Anies-Sandi also committed to building public facilities and transportation tools that are accessible to disabled individuals. Anies, for example, criticized a Jakarta project that built Trans Jakarta bus corridor 13, but it turned out that only one bus stop was accessible to people with disabilities.
The remaining bus stops used stairs, which are difficult for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or those carrying baby strollers. This is despite it being a new and almost completed project, not an old policy. Sandi also specifically mentioned that the Oke Oce economic empowerment program, which is this pair's flagship program, would also involve people with disabilities.
Job opportunities for people with disabilities would open up from the business sector, with capital assistance and guidance. Three rounds of debates have concluded, and now it's your turn, Jakarta residents, to vote on February 15th. Various promises have been made; it's up to you to choose which ones. But what is clear is that whoever is elected must be committed to executing their promises for disabled residents.
That people with disabilities are also part of society with equal rights and obligations. Let's oversee this for a more disability-friendly Jakarta. (DPM)