Indonesian mayor wants to collect data on citizens’ behavior

A Bandung neighborhood. photo credit: Phalinn Ooi

With around 2.6 million inhabitants, Bandung is Indonesia’s third most populous city. It’s well known for its relatively cool climate and many students.

The city’s mayor, Ridwan Kamil, is a former architect and university lecturer. He’s for the most part well liked and perceived as progressive. On his Twitter account, he calls himself “The caretaker of lovable Bandung.”

Yesterday, however, he baffled parts of his constituency with the introduction of a scheme which some described an Orwellian.

The announcement was made on the mayor’s Facebook page:

“People of Bandung, starting this year, be ready to receive a score on your social performance index by your local RT/RW,” the post warned.

Some people said they’re terrified by the thought of getting judged for their social behavior.

RT and RW are the heads of the smallest administrative units in Indonesia. Their tasks include, for example, collecting fees to pay for night-time street security and garbage disposal from residents. They liaise with the district government. In short, they’re the extended arm of the government at neighborhood level.

“If you don’t get involved in collective activities,” the mayor went on, “if you don’t join RT meetings, are lazy about community work, often pay your property tax late, don’t socialize, or leave the front of your house dirty, your scorecard will surely be red. On the other hand, if you are active and contribute, your report will be blue. This cascading surveillance program can also reduce the potential for hidden terrorism or drug dens which usually form in antisocial city dwellings.” The translation is ours.

Backlash

The governor spent the rest of the day defending the proposed scheme, which he said may go into effect this year.

While some applauded his idea as “innovative,” “smart,” or even “genius,” others seem terrified by the thought of getting judged for their social behavior.

The mayor’s post received tens of thousands of likes and comments. This commentator said the scheme sounded Orwellian.

“This system, I feel, is prone to misuse,” one commentator suggested. “It reminds me of Big Brother in the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. It could lead to horizontal conflicts.”

Smart city fever