Tower of indifference?<\/p>\n
This country is never short of controversy. Today, the fuss is
\nabout several local business tycoons and their plan to build a
\n500-meter-high Jakarta Tower in the capital. The monument,
\nalready billed as the world's third tallest tower after the CN
\nTower in Toronto, Canada, and the Oskantino in Moscow, is not an
\nappropriate undertaking considering present social and economic
\nconditions in Indonesia. Furthermore, it would not serve national
\ninterests or help the nation in our efforts to alleviate poverty.
\nA number of critics voicing this view include members of the
\nHouse of Representatives and former governors of Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Sudwikatmono, one of the country's leading tycoons and the
\ndeveloper of the project, has defended the plan, saying it will
\nbe built by private companies as a monument to the success of the
\nNew Order government. Responding to objections voiced by
\nlawmakers, Sudwikatmono says that the task of alleviating poverty
\nhas already been addressed by the government.<\/p>\n
For many, the US$400-million project is a reminder of the
\npublic's opposition to late president Sukarno's activities. The
\nmonuments he built here in the late 1950s and early 1960s, among
\nother things, contributed to his fall in 1966. The people found
\nSukarno's projects a cruel mockery of the then dire economic
\nconditions, which were marked by a lack of food and long queues
\nto get kerosene and other daily necessities.<\/p>\n
Had the flamboyant leader lived for another decade, many
\nbelieve that rice would have become a luxury beyond the reach of
\ncommon people. But the tallest of Sukarno's pet projects was
\nMonas, the National Monument in the center of Jakarta. Monas,
\nhowever, stands at about one-fourth of the height of the proposed
\nJakarta Tower.<\/p>\n
Although economic conditions have improved tremendously, 27
\nmillion still live in poverty. The tower would be built as slum
\nareas continue to mushroom in Jakarta, with health centers few
\nand far between.<\/p>\n
Sudwikatmono's statement that poverty is being handled by the
\nauthorities reveals his indifference to social solidarity, which
\nis badly needed to close the widening gaps in social status and
\neconomic well-being. The nation, however, still needs foreign aid
\nas well as help from the private sector.<\/p>\n
The wish to build a tower stems from concern that this country
\nwill be left behind by neighboring countries like Malaysia, which
\nis currently constructing Asia's tallest building. Malaysia,
\nhowever, has a much stronger economy, a relatively small
\npopulation and far fewer class differences.<\/p>\n
The conglomerates supporting the project are all proponents of
\nthe social change presently taking place in Indonesian, which
\nexplains their desire to express gratitude to the government that
\nhas put them in their present position.<\/p>\n
But perhaps it would be wiser for them to express their
\nmonumental thanks in the form of modern hospitals and properly-
\nequipped schools. The republic has just turned 50 and quality
\neducation is still out of the reach of many. Surely the New Order
\ngovernment, and today's business community, would prefer to be
\nremembered for their generous contributions to the welfare of our
\nnation and future generations.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless the project will continue to be debated and our
\npeople will eventually learn that such slogans as social
\nsolidarity will remain only slogans. Because the project involves
\ntop businesspeople, it is likely that this controversy will end
\nup like all the rest: by kicking the ball upstairs.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tower-of-indifference-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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