Sutiyoso sees bright lights for Monas in lates scheme<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
One of the capital's landmarks, it seems as though the National
\nMonument (Monas) Park will not be spared from the city
\nadministration's plans to decorate it.<\/p>\n
After the controversial fence construction around the park in
\n2002 and the introduction of deer last year, the park will be
\nbeautified by spectacular lighting to celebrate the anniversary
\nof Jakarta, which falls on June 22.<\/p>\n
The project will be funded by publicly listed food company
\nIndofood Sukses Makmur in return for being allowed to erect
\noutdoor advertising displays.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the lighting will enliven the Jakarta anniversary
\ncelebrations this year,\" said Governor Sutiyoso on Wednesday,
\nhinting that installation of the lighting would be completed
\nahead of the celebrations.<\/p>\n
\"I have told the City Parks Agency to ensure that the donor
\nobtains ads spots commensurate in value to the project funding.\"<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate on the lighting system to be used or the
\ncost of the project.<\/p>\n
Commenting on project, councillor Ahmad Heriyawan of the
\nJustice Party faction warned about possible irregularities in the
\nexchange deal.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want the administration to repeat the same mistakes
\nit committed in the renovation of Hotel Indonesia traffic circle
\nor the construction of the General Sudirman statue,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He stated the funds received from the deal should initially be
\ntransferred to the city's coffers.<\/p>\n
\"The administration could draw on the funds in the next
\nfinancial year. Moreover, it should make the deal public. That's
\nthe rules of the game.\"<\/p>\n
Renovation of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle water
\nfountain raised public criticism as it cost a hefty Rp 14 billion
\n(US$1.64 million). The project was carried out in a closed tender
\nand was funded through the creation of 10 ad spots.<\/p>\n
Critics also blasted the closed tender in the construction of
\nthe statue of national hero General Sudirman on Jl. Sudirman,
\nCentral Jakarta, last year, costing Rp 3.5 billion. According to
\nnon-governmental organization Jakarta Development Watch, the
\nconstruction should not have cost more than Rp 1.9 billion.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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