Evaluation of Old and New Head of Transport Agency

Yesterday, after 3 years and 8 months of service, Udar Pristono, the Head of Transport Agency is replaced by Joko Widodo, The Governor of Jakarta. Most news said that the direct cause of this replacement is the case of Bus procurement which lately rose to public. Joko Widodo appoint M. Akbar as new Head of Transport Agency. With no significant improvement in Transportation, public have high expectation to this new head. This post try to analyze the difference of Pristono and Akbar's leadership and what to expect in Akbar's Leadership era, and what should be done to make Jakarta's Transport Agency is more effective.

Background and Relationship of Pristono and Akbar

The name of Pristono and Akbar started to be heard in Trans Jakarta Busway Conception on Governor Sutiyoso's Era. At that time Pristono served as Head of Traffic Engineering and Management Division under Transport Agency, and Akbar served as Head of Traffic Management Sub Division under Pristono.

When Pristono is appointed as Deputy Head of Transport Agency, Akbar is also appointed as Head of Traffic Engineering and Management Division. When Pristono is appointed as Head of Transport Agency, Akbar is appointed as Head of Trans Jakarta's Public Service Agency under Transport Agency and later moved as Head of West Jakarta Transport Agency. Before finally replaced Pristono as Head of Transport Agency

Based on this condition, we can conclude that Pristono is Akbar's Senior Officer and for the last 10 years, Akbar's action is mostly under Pristono's direct supervision. Any training and excursion studies for Transport Agency will also attended by both of them. So it is quite difficult to separate Pristono and Akbar's contribution for major policy in Transport Agency, especially for those involving Trans Jakarta Busway.

Aside of that, there are quite different background between Pristono and Akbar. Pristono came from wealthy family in Jakarta. He grew up in Menteng area which is considered to be elite. He also lived inside Jakarta City. So, he considered to be the Native Jakarta. In contrast, Akbar stayed in Bogor, Jakarta's Sub Urban to the south. During early days, Akbar used intercity Trains to commute.

With the background, Pristono would be a suitable choice for the Late Governor Fauzi Bowo, which have same similarity, while Akbar would be a suitable choice for Governor Joko Widodo.

Pristono's Leadership Style

Based on the background, the leadership style would be differ significantly. We have to admit that both Pristono and Akbar are brilliant staff which Jakarta's ever had. Pristono is creative and want to explore unorthodox solution for complex Jakarta's problems.

Pristono is also capable to cooperate with other stakeholder, especially the Traffic Police to enforce the policy. Formerly, cooperation with police is found to be the politically difficult, because there is some gray area, which often crossed in job description between Transport Agency and Traffic Police.  Pristono can make friends with Senior Police Officers to take aside of the difference for a while and solve the problems together. The most recent feat is the Busway Sterilization Effort.

Pristono is also known as great leader to his subordinates. His unconventional side attracted his potentially creative subordinates (mostly the younger generation), encouraging growth, and make the Agency position more respectable towards other government agency.

However, rising from Native Jakarta family, Pristono considered to be well known of Jakarta's Problem. Pristono is quite weak for his controlling phase. He thought that all of his subordinates working as intended. Pristono's reign is mostly on Governor Fauzi Bowo's era which is tend to be bureaucratic and slow moving. This condition make the newest Public Service staffs stay in comfort zones and try to make good impression for the Boss (or locally called Asal Boss Senang / ABS)

Pristono's Leadership are one of the fastest mover agency in Governor Fauzi Bowo's era (despite of the result). However, when Governor Joko Widodo take control of Jakarta and try to move faster, even the fastest mover agency are still considered slow. Pristono's too confident for his fast achievements and failed to live up to Joko Widodo's expectation. We can see that the major policy from Transport Agency under Governor Joko Widodo's era is Sterilization Effort (which is failed because the police stated that Transport Agency cannot provide more bus fast enough as agreed before sterilization).

The problems peaked when the newly bought buses component are rusted. In Bureaucratic organization, corruption is always occurred. It is leadership task to keep it at minimum level. However rusted component is considered as loss monitoring for corruption. When that occurred, The Head of Agency should be take responsibility and it is the right move to replace Pristono.

M. Akbar's Leadership Style

For the first time in 10 years, Akbar's will be without Pristono's influences. This condition is combined with high expectation for him to make significant move for Jakarta's Transportation problems.

Akbar is also well known as The Manager. Unlike Pristono, he might not create something new. However he excel to run the organization well with old plans. This condition is compatible with Governor Joko Widodo's policy which emphasize on realizing existing plan. This compatibility might be the most important trait on Agency - Governor relationship.

The second plus point is that Akbar tend to be quieter than Pristono. This would requires Governor Joko Widodo to become his Public Speaker, however, this can be advantage. Governor Joko Widodo can control the news regarding the progress of Transportation problem solving.

One thing to be considered is that no one will doubt Akbar as excellent staff, but he is an unproven leader. Almost all division which is led by Akbar in previous years (Traffic Engineering and Management and Trans Jakarta Public Service Agency) is publicly considered impotent. No major achievements heard during his leadership. Governor Joko Widodo must aware whether this condition is because of Akbar's leadership incompetency or his bad public speaking skills. and decide his policy ASAP.

Conclusion - Toward Better Transport Agency

Pristono and Akbar have different personality style which make them useful in different area. Pristono's unconventional style might be suitable in Bureaucratic Governor Fauzi Bowo, however found unsuitable for Governor Joko Widodo. Although unproven, Akbar's personality might be more compatible with Governor Joko Widodo.

To succeed, Akbar, although compatible, still have to match the Duo Joko Widodo and Basuki T.P. leadership style. Some important policy that should be done are:

1. 
   
2. Direct support for Inspectorate regarding the Rusted Component Issues and more importantly to provide solution of how to do with rusted component and the replacement so the Buses can be operated ASAP.
   
3. The priority of agency should be the increase of buses whether it Trans Jakarta or other Bus concepts and the foundation of Electronic Road Pricing system. This priority would be the vital foundation for Transportation Problem Solution in the future.
   
4. For immediate action, Akbar must concentrate how to minimize the impact of MRT Construction Progress. This might be his never ending job on Head of Agency career.
   
   
5. Transport Agency should also make significant influence by cooperating with private developers to minimize the traffic impact on major development both old and new.
   
   

With this, he might not make any major achievements publicly, but he can provide fine foundation for transportation solution in the future. This achievement can be publicly promoted by The Governor.

Note:

This post can also be seen in my blog : http://www.reza-sunggiardi.net/2/post/2014/02/analysis-on-jakartas-head-of-transport-agency.html