Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Jakartans have seen floods before – the last major inundation was in 2002 – but they were surprised by the vast area of the city that was covered by water this time around.

Governor Sutiyoso and his deputy Fauzi Bowo, who will end their second term of office in October, contend they should be held blameless, although they did not do all they could to minimize flood damage. The floods have killed 54 people and swamped thousands of homes, causing billions of rupiah in losses.

The victims have condemned the governor who, they say, appears to be removed from disaster management to the same extent that he is removed from the everyday realities of Jakartans.

They say the governor failed to identify the two main problems plaguing the city: yearly flooding and daily traffic jams. He responded to flood warnings only as the water gushed into streets and houses – as though it only happened once every 50 years.

Sutiyoso must be held accountable, but the people do not have the power to do that, because he was elected by the City Council, they said.

"Under the direct elections system, the city will no longer be governed by a man with poor leadership. He (Sutiyoso) could not cope with the two main issues," said Arius Sinaga, a resident of Semper, the worst-hit subdistrict of North Jakarta.

Rustriningsih, a resident of Jati Pulo subdistrict in West Jakarta, said she was sure Jakartans would make careful choices among the set of candidates in the upcoming election.

"Gubernatorial candidates who have nothing to say about the flood and transportation problems will certainly lose the election," she said, adding that the government – like the people – must accept an increased risk of flooding and plan accordingly.

She said thousands of people were sheltering in schools and mosques in the subdistrict, "but until now, we have received no food aid or medicine".

Zuhairi, a father of three in Cililitan Besar subdistrict in East Jakarta, called on the governor and the vice governor to step down over their failure to take the appropriate precautions.

"Sutiyoso has failed in his duty to protect the people and should therefore resign. The floods of the past two decades have cost the people dearly."

Former chief of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, a likely candidate for the gubernatorial election, said he was aware candidates might find it advantageous to air out views on disaster management.

"Whether the region is prepared for floods has become a crucial issue," he said, adding that the Jakarta Spatial Plan – including details of zoning and planning in the city – must be put into practice.

Bibit who is seeking support for his nomination from major parties, said human rights had to be respected but those living in restricted areas also needed to be relocated, for their own safety. He said tough measures were in everyone's interest.

Gubernatorial candidate Faisal Basri said that besides introducing people-oriented economic policies, priority should be given to flood control and the development of a mass rapid transit system.

"We need to improve the living standards of low-wage earners so they can afford to buy homes away from flood-prone locations. The establishment of flood canals will also minimize flood damage."