Joggers protest Thamrin closure<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Jakartans who used to jog and exercise along the capital's
\nmain arteries Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central
\nJakarta on Sundays, blasted the decision of Governor Sutiyoso to
\nclose the roads to all sports activities, saying the policy
\nrestricted access to public spaces.<\/p>\n
"The reason given for closing the roads is nonsense. It seems
\nthat the administration is more concerned with the median strips
\nthan the people's need for open space," Rima, 27, an employee of
\na private firm on Jl. Thamrin, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Rima was alluding to the administration's failure to provide
\nopen spaces and parks where residents could exercise. Thus, it
\nwas no wonder that Jakartans had to exercise on the streets.<\/p>\n
"It's only once a week for a couple of hours while the road is
\nempty, so it doesn't disturb motorists ... It is possible that
\npeople damage some parts of the median strips, but I don't think
\nits a big deal as they can be maintained by the parks agency,"
\nRima argued.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Anita, 30, a graduate student of a state
\nuniversity, labeled the policy ridiculous.<\/p>\n
"Jakarta residents are the taxpayers. They pay taxes for the
\nroads too, so they deserve to enjoy their use. It's completely
\nunfair as the corrupt administration has never provided proper
\nfacilities for the public. Now, tell me, where do they think
\npeople can go to exercise for free?" said Anita.<\/p>\n
Jl M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, which used to be packed with
\njoggers, were quiet last Sunday morning with no joggers or people
\nexercising to be seen.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso had allowed Jakartans to use the arteries to jog or
\nexercise since the early years of his first term as Jakarta
\ngovernor (1997-2002).<\/p>\n
City spokesman Muhayat said the National Monument Park (Monas)
\nand the Senayan sports stadium's parking lots had been chosen as
\nthe designated places for Jakartans wanting to exercise or engage
\nin other recreational activities.<\/p>\n
"Instead of closing the arteries for joggers, we have provided
\nMonas and Senayan sport stadium's parking lots. They still have
\nalternative places to exercise," Muhayat told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Muhayat said the policy had been adopted due to the fact that
\njoggers were ruining public facilities along the roads' median
\nstrips, including intentionally walking on the grass and sitting
\non the wire fences.<\/p>\n
However, Muhayat said the governor's policy would be subject
\nto review if many people objected to it "just as happened when
\nthe administration decided to close these roads for sports
\nactivities in the first place."<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said on Monday he would change his mind if the people
\nwho used the roads to exercise could ensure that public
\nfacilities would not be damaged.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/joggers-protest-thamrin-closure-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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