Sumber Waras: A case of Politicizing Policy

If Basuki Tjahaja Purnama were not the incumbent governor of Jakarta, the purchase of the site of the Sumber Waras psychiatric hospital would be seen as simply a normal transaction. But the plan for the man better known as Ahok to stand again for election next year is why the July 2014 land sale in West Jakarta has become such a hot issue.

The purchase by the Jakarta administration is under the spotlight for at least three reasons: the price, the location and the procedures that were followed. The price is seen as too high, compared with the offer the previous landowner had agreed to. The location is an issue because it had a higher land valuation on Jalan Kyai Tapa, not on Jalan Tomang Utara, the other street bordering the property. Finally, Basuki is alleged to have violated the procurement regulations.