TMII turns 29, holds 9-day gala<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Although not as popular as other amusement parks in Jakarta, the
\nTaman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) park is still standing strong
\nand proud after over a quarter of a decade.<\/p>\n
The park, which is a scale-model of the country's over 17,500
\nislands on some 150 hectares, will turn 29 on Tuesday after its
\nApril 20, 1975 inauguration.<\/p>\n
Founded by the late Tien Soeharto, wife of former president
\nSoeharto, the park is probably her most noted contribution.<\/p>\n
To celebrate its anniversary, TMII will hold various festive
\nevents in the next nine days, such as plays, operas, traditional
\ndances, pop and traditional music performances and a carnival.<\/p>\n
"With the people we're working with, we hope that the public
\ncan be proud to have this park around," said General Manager of
\nthe park Wibisono Singgih after the opening ceremony of the
\npark's nine-day celebration on Saturday.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the actual anniversary of the park, visitors will
\nbe allowed free entrance after 12 noon. Normally, visitors pay Rp
\n7,000 (82 U.S. cents) for entrance, not including the fees for
\nentering certain attractions within the park.<\/p>\n
Saturday's ceremony was also attended by State Minister of
\nCulture and Tourism I Gde Ardika and Minister of National
\nEducation Abdul Malik Fajar.<\/p>\n
"TMII plays a significant role in development, especially in
\nthe sphere of culture and education. I hope that the park can
\nimprove in those two spheres in the coming years," Ardika told
\nThe Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He expects the park to be more active in the process of
\ndeveloping the traditional cultures and incorporating them into
\nthe national culture.<\/p>\n
Asked about the diminishing interests of the public in
\nvisiting the park, Ardika said that the management of TMII should
\nwork harder to promote their various events.<\/p>\n
"They've been doing a great job so far, but more promotion
\nwon't harm. We must remember that visiting this place doesn't
\nhave to be just on formal occasions or holidays.<\/p>\n
"People can just walk and look around at the culture exhibits.
\nThe point is how to make such an educational visit also be a
\nrelaxing and fun way to spend the day," he explained.<\/p>\n
Wibisono disagreed and suggested that the minister just had
\nnot seen the park at the busy times.<\/p>\n
"It's not really true when people say TMII has lost its
\nattractiveness. It depends on when you come to this place, it's
\nvery exciting and busy here on weekends," he told the Post.<\/p>\n
Wibisono added that the government should pay more attention
\nto the park as it was a true state asset.<\/p>\n
"It doesn't have to be in the form of funds. At the least, we
\ncould get some flexibility in obtaining licenses, paying taxes or
\nelectricity fees. A reduction of 50 percent (of any fees) is
\nquite helpful, you know? We shouldn't be treated as a profit-
\noriented business," he said laughing.<\/p>\n
The 150-hectare park is famous for its exhibitions of the
\ntraditional houses of each ethnic group accompanied by folklore
\nand traditional tools. It also features dozens of museums,
\ngardens and recreational features as well as mini trains.<\/p>\n
The management of TMII is also going to build a new museum
\ndevoted to the Chinese-Indonesians and their immigrant ancestors
\nin an attempt to recognize one of the foreign cultures that have
\nhelped create Indonesian culture.<\/p>",
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