Public beaches must remain public domain<\/p>\n
One particular development scheme is upsetting Yogyakarta's
\nSultan Hamengku Buwono X. The project in question involves the
\ndevelopment of Parangtritis Beach on the south coast of
\nYogyakarta into a tourist resort complete with hotel, recreation
\nparks, golf courses and other facilities.<\/p>\n
Many aspects of this mega-project have to be considered. One
\nof them is the special position which Parangtritis occupies in
\nthe minds of the people of Yogyakarta. The beach is linked to the
\nhistory of the Yogyakarta sultanate. It is one of three major
\npoints on the same metaphysical axis on which the kraton (royal
\ncourt) and Mount Merapi are also located and a number of court
\nrituals are performed on this beach.<\/p>\n
Aside from all this, Parangtritis is one of the most popular
\nbeaches not only for people from Yogyakarta, but also from other
\nplaces in Central Java. In this way, the beach provides a source
\nof income for people living in its surroundings.<\/p>\n
It is for these reasons that the Sultan is strongly opposed to
\nthe plan. Let Parangtritis remain a public beach -- not one that
\nis managed by a privately owned business. The Sultan has offered
\nan alternative, saying that if a resort is to be built for
\ntourist development purposes, why not build it on the
\ncomparatively less developed Samas beach?<\/p>\n
The entire controversy concerns not only the question of
\nwhether or not a project can be realized at Parangtritis. It also
\nconcerns the question of how to properly approach a beach resort
\ndevelopment scheme. Reality shows that many public beaches over
\nthe years have come under the control of either individuals or
\nprivate business. Anyer Beach on the Sunda Strait is an example.
\nThere, the public's interests have been totally neglected.<\/p>\n
We hope that beginning with the Parangtritis case the
\nauthorities will place a greater emphasis on the public's needs
\nrather than those of either private individuals or businesses in
\ntheir consideration of projects.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-beaches-must-remain-public-domain-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }