HI circle, between history and reality<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
For most travelers passing Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta, the
\nnewly-renovated Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle is seen only
\nas a city decoration with its water fountains and the Welcome
\nStatue.<\/p>\n
For activists, the circle is a hot spot for rallies ever since
\nthe downfall of former president Soeharto in 1998.<\/p>\n
But for elderly citizens who have been living in the capital
\nsince the early 1960s or before, it is more than just an
\nornament.<\/p>\n
The hotel was the first high-rise building in the city, which
\nis now a \"concrete jungle\" with its many skyscrapers.<\/p>\n
Many believe that the circle and the five-star Hotel Indonesia
\nwas built to accommodate the Sixth Asian Games in 1962, and was
\nthe start of development in the city's business center,
\ncomprising Thamrin, Sudirman, and Kuningan roads.<\/p>\n
The Welcome Statue depicting a cheerful couple waving their
\narms up and carrying a bouquet, facing the direction of the
\nNational Monument (Monas), was erected to welcome the sportsmen
\nparticipating at Senayan Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Welcome Statue monument is 17-meters high with a 10-meter
\nhigh pedestal, while the bronze statue is seven-meters high. It
\nwas made by Edhie Sunarso, 68, a sculptor from Yogyakarta upon
\nthe order of Sukarno, the country's founding father.<\/p>\n
In March this year, the renovation of the HI circle started
\nand was unveiled on June 22 in celebration of Jakarta's 475th
\nanniversary.<\/p>\n
The project cost Rp 14 billion (about US$1.5 billion), which
\nincluded the installment of 46 water pumps and 341 nozzles for
\nthe water fountain. The water fountain forms a red-and-white
\nconfiguration which is inspired by the red-and-white national
\nflag.<\/p>\n
The head of the City Parks Agency, Mauritz Napitupulu, said
\nthe monthly maintenance and operating costs for the traffic
\ncircle and water fountain were estimated at some Rp 23 million.<\/p>\n
These costs include security guards who have been hired to
\npatrol the circle on Sundays and public holidays.<\/p>\n
Mauritz added that the water fountain operated between 7 a.m.
\nand 9 p.m., working for two hours and then being turned off for
\none.<\/p>\n
\"How could the city administration spend such a lot of money
\nfor the decorative project? I think the city leaders know that
\nthere are still a lot of people who need jobs,\" said Hermanto,
\n35, an employee at a private company in Kota area, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Hermanto may represent the voice of the younger generation who
\nare more pragmatic in viewing the reality in the capital.<\/p>\n
He believes that spending Rp 14 billion for the project is
\nabsurd. He said life in the city was hard with five street
\nsingers taking turns singing on the city buses carrying him from
\nhis house in Kebayoran Baru to his office in Kota.<\/p>\n
\"I think, it is better if the money is used to create jobs for
\nthem. They are not a lazy men. They sing in the buses because
\nthey have no other choice,\" Hermanto said, referring to the
\nstreet singers, vendors and beggars on the buses.<\/p>\n
The city administration may argue that it did not spend a
\nsingle cent of money on the project as it is funded by an
\nadvertising company in exchange of the right to install 10
\nstrategically-located outdoor billboards.<\/p>\n
For a man like Hermanto, such an argument does not make sense
\nas it is still the city's asset which can be used for more useful
\nactivities for improving people's welfare.<\/p>\n
But Rasmono, 67, who has been living in the capital since the
\nmid 1950s, believes that the renovation project is a way for the
\nyounger generation to respect the older generation.<\/p>\n
Rasmono, who has a small kiosk in Kebon Kacang subdistrict,
\nCentral Jakarta -- some 200 meter from the circle -- said that as
\na Jakarta resident, he was proud of having such a beautiful
\nmonument.<\/p>\n
For Rasmono and some other elderly citizens, witnessing the
\nnew look HI circle remind them of Sukarno, the initiator of the
\ncircle's construction.<\/p>\n
Hermanto agreed with Rasmono that the younger generations
\nshould appreciate the works their elders. \"If our economic
\ncondition is normal, carrying out such a project is OK. But now,
\nthere are still many more urgent things which actually should
\nhave become a priority,\" Hermanto said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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