Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has become obsessed with the idea that the megalopolitan concept of development is the answer to the capital's numerous long-standing problems.

Overpopulation, deteriorating infrastructure, environmental problems and unemployment are the main problems Sutiyoso hopes to address with the megalopolitan, a concept first raised by Jakarta governor Sudiro in 1954 and again brought up by another former governor, Ali Sadikin, during a recent hearing with the House of Representatives.

The megalopolitan concept would see the incorporation of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Cianjur and Jakarta under one administration. However, there is still no blueprint for this grand concept, and it remains unclear whether the resulting megalopolitan would be administered by a governor or a minister.

What is clear is that Jakarta cannot handle its problems without the help of neighboring administrations. In the 1980s, the Jakarta administration made an effort to embrace neighboring Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi regencies, which were then part of West Java province. The concept was called Jabotabek.

To synchronize development plans among Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi, a special agency, the Jabotabek Development Coordinating Body, was set up to coordinate, monitor and control development in the areas. In reality, each of the areas in this supposedly integrated group had its own development plans, based on its own interests and concerns. Selfishness was the major reason the spirit of cooperation never developed.

The most visible results of this failure are the damaged roads, which have been left unrepaired for years, in the border areas between Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi. The road linking Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta to Ciputat in West Java, via Rempoa, is a good example of the tug-of-war between the West Java and Jakarta administrations. And the ultimate victims in this game are the taxpayers.

Another example of the failure to cooperate concerns the problem of trash. With the capital producing an overwhelming amount of garbage each day, the Jakarta administration has been frustrated in its efforts to find an appropriate place to dump the trash. The residents and administrations of Bogor and Bekasi have refused to take any more of Jakarta's garbage.

It is apparent that glittering Jakarta, which appears exotic, fascinating and arrogant to other regions, is unable to solve its own problems.

Given this, the integrated development plan of the megalopolitan concept makes sense for the capital. An integrated spatial plan should be the main concern for Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Cianjur, the last four of which are under the West Java administration. These areas in West Java, with their natural vegetation and forests, have long served as water catchment areas for Jakarta.

However, local authorities have never had a problem issuing permits for buildings in these areas. While the buildings have benefited West Java financially, they have endangered Jakarta's water supply. Ironically, many of the buildings belong to residents of the capital.

Learning from the failures of the Jabotabek concept, the Jakarta administration must be aware that fostering a spirit of cooperation among neighboring administrations is not easy, and more must be done to trumpet the advantages of the megalopolitan. Governor Sutiyoso has started to sell the concept, but, unfortunately, he has not yet been able to assure the neighboring administrations the idea would benefit all, not just Jakarta.

There is some vocal resistance that must be overcome. The head of the Bogor council, Rachmat Yassin, said the area would be better off transforming itself into a new province than incorporating with Jakarta as part of a megalopolitan.

So, despite the urgent need, Sutiyoso still has a very long way to go to see his megalopolitan dream become reality, as he must deal with neighboring administrations who continue to harbor suspicions of the scheme. This is understandable given that Jakarta, which should serve as a model for other provinces, has so completely failed to resolve its own problems in nearly every sector.

The megalopolitan idea is a test case for the ability of Sutiyoso's administration to promote cooperation with other administrations. If Sutiyoso fails to overcome the suspicions and deliver a workable blueprint for the megalopolitan, the concept may have to remain in the drawer until Sutiyoso's term ends in 2007.