Workers labor to complete statue<\/p>\n
By Mulkan Salmona and Yacob Herin<\/p>\n
DILI (JP): The morning sun climbed from behind the hills
\nprotruding from the white sands of Metiaut village, Dili. Though
\nstill early in the day, its blinding rays scorched the dark skin
\nof the fishermen.<\/p>\n
In the shady base camp at the foot of the Fatucama hill, a
\ngroup of workers were breakfasting. As soon as they finished
\ntheir meal they loaded rope, a steel cutter, welding tools and a
\nscale model of the statue into a car to bring to the hill.<\/p>\n
Work started immediately after they arrived. In no time at
\nall, Ukri was clinging to the armpit of the statue putting
\ntogether bamboo scaffolding. Twenty meters from the ground was
\nToha, the welder, and with him was Mathius, the guy who always
\nsmiled, ready to polish the welded parts with liquid chemicals.
\nAside from removing dirt, the mixture of sulfate acid, water and
\nsodium sulfate (Na2SO4) gives the statue a dark color.<\/p>\n
It was a morning much like the past 28 at Fatucama hill as
\nmembers of the Bandung-based Garda Studio and 10 East Timorese
\nworkers clambered up and down the hill to reconstruct the 17-
\nmeter statue of Kristus Raja.<\/p>\n
According to Cecep Rachman, field coordinator of the
\nreconstruction project, the height of the statue represents the
\ndate of East Timor's integration into Indonesia on July 17, 1975.
\nThe 10-meter high concrete base symbolizes the Ten Commandments
\nand the combined figure of 27 refers to the fact that East Timor
\nis Indonesia's 27th province.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the walkie-talkie lying near him screeched \"break,
\nbreak, break,\" and Cecep called back \"What's up?\"<\/p>\n
It turned out that the frame for the armpit was bigger than
\nthe armpit component and had to be cut.<\/p>\n
\"Go ahead but make sure they match,\" Cecep ordered.<\/p>\n
It was not a serious problem and would not affect the shape of
\nthe statue.<\/p>\n
\"But if it occurs too often it will slow down work,\" Parto,
\nanother Garda member, explained.<\/p>\n
Late in the afternoon the problem was solved and the armpit
\ncomponent was fitted into its frame. The Garda team then started
\norganizing the transportation of other components which were
\nstill scattered at the foot of the Fatucama hill. They continued
\nworking until the sun disappeared into the clouds and the sky
\nturned dark.<\/p>\n
Artist Herastono said the team is trying hard to finish the
\nreconstruction on July 29 as scheduled.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure it will be ready before or by July 29, but we will
\nstill need welders for a final welding,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Early in February, PT Watu Besi Raya began construction of the
\nfoundation which also serves as the legs of the statue. According
\nto Djarwanto of PT Watu Besi Raya, the foundation, strengthened
\nwith steel anchors, was buried four meters into the ground to
\nensure it will hold the 50-ton steel frames and 25-ton statue.
\nThe space around the statue will be able to accommodate up to 50
\npeople. About 100 meters from the statue an altar will be built
\nfor masses. A concrete stairway with 170 steps has been built
\nfrom the planned altar to the statue.<\/p>\n
Djarwanto said Fatucama was chosen as the site because it can
\nbe seen from all directions, and from the road and air.<\/p>\n
East Timor Governor Abilio J. Osorio Soares is also planning
\nto have a relief of the stations of the cross along the stairway.<\/p>\n
\"People can hold mass at the altar and pass the station before
\nthey reach the statue,\" said the governor.<\/p>\n
Abilio told The Jakarta Post that the statue will become a
\ntourist attraction and is expected to encourage East Timorese to
\nbecome 100 percent Indonesian and 100 percent Catholic.<\/p>\n
\"We have to show the world that East Timorese are Catholics
\nwho live alongside people of other religions in Indonesia,\" said
\nGovernor Abilio.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-labor-to-complete-statue-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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