Architects' Act: potential tool preventing RI sell-out

Architects may believe that life is all about ideals and being artistic, but these days, if an architect is to make a living from the profession, then professional recognition would have to be a non-negotiable working tool. The idea that a profession would require legal recognition may seem obvious enough, but that is not the case in this country.

For many years, architects have sought the introduction of an Architects' Act, which could potentially strengthen and protect architects' bargaining power and jobs in the face of he liberalization of Indonesia's professional services market.

Budi Sukada, president of the Indonesian Architects Institute (IAI), said Indonesia was the only country in Asia that did not have an Architects' Act. The protection of professional architects by means of an act was crucial to ensure that Indonesia did not continue to be merely a marketplace for the rest of the world.

"We own our environment together, that means everybody, the stakeholders of the built environment in Indonesia, must get together. The future should be in our hands," he said on the sidelines of the 22nd World Congress of Architecture in Istanbul.

Like any professional piece of legislation, an Architects' Act would be elementary in legally sanctioning architects' work and in outlining their rights and responsibilities.

"Right now we don't have a legislative foundation and no basis for arguing at the international level, such as in AFTA, APEC and the WTO ... The world forums are all very happy because the Indonesian government has decided that all professions will be open to anyone," he said.

"We had very foolish people working in government at the time because their main concern was to bargain for the textile and wood industries. As part of the deal, they had to open professional services -- without telling us. So let's see what happens in the near future. If we succeed in at least regulating those who'd like to work in Indonesia, then we can talk about the future generation of architects, our culture and our environment," he said.

The architectural community could propose a bill either through the Ministry of Justice or the House of Representatives; but whether it would be deliberated -- let alone passed -- depended on one thing: money.

"Both cost money, just different amounts," Budi said.

-- Prapti Widinugraheni