THE POLITICS OF TRANSPORT IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF LAND TRANSPORT POLICY
(CASE STUDY IN INDONESIA)
By: BambangIstianto *
Abstract
Life in society without transport it will die, so that the transport function as a stimulus to other sectors of life. Thus transport is often referred to as the pulse of life and becomes a leading sector. The role and function of the strategic transport authority should have a high authority as the modalities for the integration of the harmonious movement toward the various sectors. Transportation problems in Indonesia that are chaotic start from existence of infrastructure, facilities, safety, environmental, land use, zoning, traffic management, logistics management which are not regular and orderly because the role and functions from the transport authority are weak. The complexity of the transportation problem has caused Jakarta to receive a negative assessment as the world's number one most jammed city. On the other hand the paradigm in its approach to transportation still tends to the technological and economic aspects alone.Whereas the complexity of the problems of transportation in Indonesia is multi-dimensional, but multi disciplinary approach has not been taken. This means that in addition to technical and economic factors, socio-cultural, political, legal, administrative and organizational factors that have strong enough influence on the conditions of transportation in Indonesia. The focus of discussion on this paper is "the weakness of the role and authority of the role and transport authority primarily associated with" The formulation and implementation of transport policy "that has resulted in the public service transport is not efficient and effective. The problems have not allegedly been mode a study of “transportpolitics” Institutionally. As it is known that the formulation and implementation of the policies related to the political process. Thus the Contributions of transport political studies are to build paradigm that is able to encoaurage the establishment of “good formulation and implementation of transport policy” transport of building paradigm that encourages the establishment of "good formulation and implementation of transport policy".
Keyword: Politics Transportation, Transport Policy, Public Service transport.
Corresponding Author: BambangIstianto, Ph.D., Lecturer, Institute Of Land Transport,
Bekasi, Indonesia; research fields; transport policy, public policy, public management, public private partnership, politics of government. E- mail: .
1
Back Ground.
The term "Transport Politics" (Politics of transportation) is almost never discussed by experts and practitioners of transportation in Indonesia, its presence is unfamiliar and still strange. The discussion about the political relations and transportation for practitioners posibly has not occurred and may be no urgency and relevance. Although in developed countries such as the United States, Europe, Australia, and others, the transport politics has long enough become the study into the study materials and has been applied in any transport policy which has been integrated in a
multidisciplinary approach. So far, He "paradigm" in the transportation perspective has beenmore considered as a service product that is closer to the matters of "Economy" and loaded withsephistiaded "Technology" and the calculation of "Mathematics". In the development of the "Transport" as science it, can only be seen clearly through the approach of engineering science and economics. Therefore, the role and functions transportation defined as a promoting the wider sense and service sector as well as the "Derived Economy" and "Leading Sector", or in the wider of sense, transportation plays arole as the lifeblood of the development of HankamnasIpoleksosbud. However, "the management and operation of transport services should be" a leading sector, but in its development the capacity and authorityhave declined, so the face of transportation in Indonesia is getting tangled, the reduced role of the "function of transport services" as the leading sector, allegedly due to lack of attention to the multi-disciplinary studies "including a study on"transport politics”.
Essencially, “Transport Technology ” Consists of Several types among others : Aircraft, Ships, Cars and trains. Regarding to Infrastrukture is the main supporting component of transportation, the two are mutually supporting. This means that if "infrastructure" is im line with the needs of transportation, the balance will occur, if it is used for the interest and needs of the mobility of people and goods, it will achieve a more convient, safe, smoth, fast and timely. Indeed Transport supports the "mobility" of people and goods in the society in order to fulfill their wish of welfare in their life, Herefure, the rolend function of transportation os vital forhuman life. "the transport sector" is a function of "public services"wich largely become the "responsibility" of the government. Thereby the government should be serious and mainly prioritize ti build theof infrastructure and the means of transport in accordance with the needs of society. Empiriality it is wildely found that the both phenomena are inadeguade to support the national economic growth and national integration as the outermost islands are still vulnerable to annexation by neighboring countries.
Besides, transportat technology that is growing rapidly can be a means of building social engineering. Transport Technology is able to make changes to the attitudes, behaviors, and actions of human Individually and collectirely (in groups) as required bye technology. But in fact the phenomena that are often encountered, especially in Indonesia Transport do not able to realize the social engineering in precision and even often infailure. The application of transportation technology policies such as "Traffic Demand Management" (Three-in-one, road pricing, Mass Rapid transite (MRT), Pedestrian bridges, school safety zones), has not been able to change people's behavior well. The failure of the implementation of the Transportation Technology policies, when analyzed carefully, was not lainsolely on technology issues, but has shifted to the issue of being "non-technical".
The Growth and development of the metropolitan cities in almost all regions in Indonesia actually experienced the negative growth called "Urban sprawl, namely the irregulaer and chaotic urban growth. Though theoretically "transport" function to form "cities" which were organized, orderly, and artistic. Therefore, today it has become a daily sight - the land transport chaotic conditions become complicated and worrisome.
A world-class scientist "Francis Fukuyama" (ArysHilman, republika 2010) in the book of State Building Governance and World order In The 21st Century for saying, "Fukuyama" tells the story about Americans who often complain about traffic regulations in the country of cowboys it. Those who complain he thinks, should go to "Jakarta" to find the facts that the infirm regulations would produce a more terrible situation ". Thus, the above phenomenon indicates that the "social engineering" should be supported by "social participation". There free the non technical issues are to trigger he for experts and practitioners of Transport, in view of the transport problem in a more comprehensive and systemic, way they need to be supported with a multidisciplinary approach.
Such as, he support of analysis tools political science, sociology, psychology, law, and administration. Eg, he contributions of "transport politics” has the analytical instrument able to explain what, why, and how a transport policy can run well, withhe broad support from various elements of society and government institutions of various levels previously therein filled with a variety of interests that have interacted with each other dynamically among cooperation, competition and even conflict.
"Transport Politics" is the study of the process of efforts (struggles) in the competition arenas of the various power interests (authorities) associated with the management of transportation in order to be integrated into a single authority (policy makers) in case of organizing the wider interest of the people (National Interest); that is to open apportunity to acces to economic and national development as well as creating the of transportation services that are safe, convenient, fast, and timely.
Basic Concept Of Transport Politic
- Why is he thought of “ transportpolictis” emerging?
The problems which are increasingly complex and worrying are the growing of motorcycle isin all the cities (towers) in Indonesia. They are used as a means of transportation to replace public transport. The use of Motorcycles as a means of transportation causes the social impact as well as the traffic accident much reater then when using public transport such as bus, metromini, mikrolet, (public van). The booming trend of using the motorcycles as the replacement for public transport bye the people (public) indicates the inter – sectoral policy that does not synchronize well and finally it less supports the role of the manager of transportation services as a leading sector growth, will be influenced especially the economics sector, Even a country Less runs well, Other sector growth will be influenced is poor too. Other wise, the transport function supports the growth of the national economy (see:figure (I) The relationship between the transportation and the national economy).
Figure 1
Relationship Between Transportation Efficiency, Input / Output of
Transportation System and National Economy
Source: Hong Yuan &Huapu Lu, 2002
Figure 1 above, as already described,nspiring that the link between efficiency and effectiveness of thetransport to national economic growth is very strong. Because of theoptimal role of transport, it is able to provide the acceleration and movement of goods and people. Therefore, the orientation towards the optimalization of the use of public transport becomes a key policy agenda in arranging the transportation system in Indonesia. Thus, the phenomenon above shows the "transport problem" has begun to shift to non-technical issues. The diagnosis of the chaotic transportation system in Indonesia very urgently needs policies that are controlled by the supreme authority of the National Government Leaders, namely the President, the direct involvement of synchronization (among) these sectors so that the sectoral ego can be eliminated. The Understanding of the problems above can be thought of as an area of study "Transport Politics".
- Paradigm "Transport Politics"
Paradigm can be the way, the direction and guidance in building a "theory". Similarly, the paradigm is the foundation and cornerstone of how people look toward a world problem that can affect attitudes and behavior and human action. However, the implementation of a theory is not a matter of being right or wrong, it is leavily influenced by the "paradigm" of "Power" Holder.Beacause building and putting "a paradigm" should be able to bridge the various dynamics of interaction the public interest. According to Patton (1975) in Mansour Fakih (2001,19), "Paradigm is a world view a general perspectif away of breaking down the complexity of the real world".
In relation to the transport poltics paradigm, it cambe formulated as follows:
a)"Transport" is the "basic needs" of society (public goods) then becomes the responsibility of Hestate and government to manage, organize and take care of it properly.
b)Transportation is created from simple to modern / advanced, basically to meet the needs of human life and is able to encourage the mobility of people, goods, and services to in order to meet people’s weifere.
c)Development of "Transportation Technology" is an instrument that is capable of building and changing the human attitudes, behavior and is often referred to as "social engineering" on the one hand and on the other hand must be supported by "social participation".
d)“Transport"Policy is the commitment of the government (public policy) in an effort to regulate and manage continuously toward thedevelopment and improvement in order to provide the ease of mobility of people's lives.
e)Government policy in the field of transport in order to run smoothly,needs the people’s support. For the level of "the formulation and implementation of the policies the government must always involve" public participation
f)"Transport Politics" in essence is the efforts in each "Transport Policy Formulation" getting optimum support, and the government is actively and responsive, doing socialization, communication, negotiation, bergaining, Lobbying, compromise, and consensus with the various elements of society in order to build such support. At the level of implementation of the Government policy there is always as struggle for and defend “The Transport Policy” in ordere to run smoothly, successfully and on target.
“Transport Politics”Approad
Some approaches are expected to be able to explain the relationship between politics and Transport namely; the value chain analysis approach Sensitivity theory approach and input-output model approach. As each approach can be described as follows;
- Value Chain Analysis approach (Value Chain Analysis)
Value Chain Analysis Approach (Value Chain Analysis), this approach is usually used in the of "managerial economics" that aims to control the variable cost. Starting from the chain of upstream to downstream activities, the strategic value of the chain can be set at a very decisive action to the financing "effect" should be fully controlled through the support of a stronger authority. While according to Willem Siahaya (2013) referred to as the UPS "Supply Chaim Management”, it is integration of competent business tesources and logistic activities and related information from the origin to the point of consumption including coordination and collaboration with channel patners (supplier, manufacturer, ware home, transporters, distributors, retailers and customers) for the purpose of conforming to custumors "requirements".
The thought above can be adopted to conduct an analysis of "Transport Polities" to the chain of the implementation of "Land Transport" which has a a complex cross-sector relationships level, it can be described as follows; if the transport functions, as a "Promoting and Service Sector", then "Promoting" is placed as western and "Services" as downstream. the "promoting sectors" activities are ranging from the availability of transport infrastructure, transportation, design and motor verticle prototype (performed by the Ministries of Public Works, Industry, and Research and Technology). While the "services sector" from the management, regulation and maintenance of transportation facilities and infrastructures into "transport services" are efficiently and effectively carried out by the Ministry of Transportation. The activities order and security of the transport Management and Law Forcement are done by the Police. Efforst to discrible a series of clain ranging from upstream to down stream of the implementation of "Road Transport", can be analyzed with a theoretical approach "Calue Claim" The overal chain contains "strategic and fundamentals values, especially the position of" transport function "as a" Leading Sector". The link above shows that the "implementation of land transport 'has role as a leading sector having a very fundamental problems, among others, the upstream chain (promoting sector) does not always have the vision and mission which are in line with (egual) with the vision and mission of the Downstream chain (services sector). The absence of synchronization in fact lanses the transport system not to be effective.
The problem in fact is still not resolved properly and is required a more intrinsic understanding through the study of "Transport Politics", in order "Hat The Function of Transport can be realized opttimaly.transport (See : Figure 3 below)
Figure 3
Role and Function of Land Transportation in The Perspective of Transport Politics
Based on Figure 3 above shows that the transport policy is in fact trough a long process. The role and function of as leading and promoting sectors in the chain the reload and function with core business should do synchronization and integration other sectors so that the formulation and implementation stages can proceed smoothly. The successful implementation of transport policy will be able to provide transportation services that is safe, comfortable, cheap and punctual.
- Sensitivity Theory Approach
Sensitivity theory is a theory that is used for the purposes of the variable cost efficiency in conducting he "total integration" forwards "chain of events" that greatly affect the efficiency costs. If referring to the theory to analyze the "Chain" Implementation of the land transportation, it is meant that the chain in the administration of land transportation, the Ministry of Transportation should be able to synergize and integrate the vision and mission of the Ministry of Public Works, Industry and Research and Technology (Function Promoting Sector), the vision and mission managers and providers of transportation services (Function Services Sector). Synergies and Integration of has vision and mission into the preparation of the concept of the "Master Plan" and the Strategic Plan and The Action Plan, very influential on the establishment of an efficient andeffective transportation service. The integration between upstream and downstream chain is to be consistent and harmonious requires the support of a higher authority, so that the function of the land transport is capable of acting as a "leading sector". Efforts to explain the understanding of the institutional problems in establishing and reviewing the vision and mission of the transport needs to be supported by the study of "Transport Politics
(See Figure 4).
Figure 4
Role of Land Transprotation as a Leading Sector
Based on the explanation of, the sensitivity theory approach above, a role as leading sector is to integrate strategic or elements wild are very susceptible tohe disruption of the core business chain of transportation such as infrastructure, land use, traffic management into an institutional authority transport functions.
- Conversion of Input into Output model approach
The Conversion of Input into out put model is offen used to describe the proses of policy formulation. If a policy (policy) wants to have a strong legitimacy and in accordance with the aspirations of the fight for the birth of the policy then it is a must to build the input power and strengthen he support in the process of aggregation in order that he output policy is in accordance with the aspirations The input strength is often referred to as a process of "articulation" which has two strengths namely "Demand" and support while the "Conversion" is referred to as a process or function of "Aggregation" the aggregation process will result in "alternatives" of the policy until the output process, namelydecision determination to the birth of "a new policy" (decision making process). "The new policy" when implemented will get a Positive of negative from the public. The response will be a "feedback" in the form of demands and support and so onThe input. strength played by all elements of society, including the "government" (infrastructure and supra-political structure). While in the "Conversion" palyed by the executive and legislative supra political structure (supra political structure) that run the aggregation. With the conversion of input into output model approach, the study of "Transport Politics" can contribute to the thought of analysis forward the appropriate policy formulation in the of transportation. The studyof"Transport Politics" is expected to encourage efforts at the level of "policy formulation" in accordance with the aspirations of Therministry of Transportation Directurate General of Land Transportation to build support of the various elements of the power so, when being the level of that the level of aggregation into a "policy" it has strong legitimacy. (See Figure 5 below)