TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he had yet to receive the central government’s plans to rename several thoroughfares around the National Monument in Central Jakarta. Jokowi said he planned to consult with State Secretary Sudi Silalahi as chairman of the Medan Merdeka Area Development on the plans.

“Because there are two different opinions regarding Presidential Decree,” Jokowi said at the City hall on Tuesday, October 8, 2013.

Jokowi added some parties said presidential consent must be secured prior to renaming the streets while others claimed the plans were within the governor’s authority. Therefore, Jokowi continued, he planned to meet with the cabinet secretary for clarification on the issue and to confirm that only two streets that would be renamed, which were Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara and Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan.

Chairman of the government-sanctioned Committee 17 Jimly Asshidiqie, meanwhile, said the plans were to rename three streets: Jl. Merdeka Utara to Jl.Soekarno, Jl. Merdeka Selatan to Jl. Mohammad Hatta, and Taman Monas to Taman Merdeka. “The two streets were given priority as they will bear the names of our national heroes.”

Jimly said he had given the plans to Jokowi and asked him to meet with the cabinet secretary immediately.

SYAILENDRA