Award for 'Bang' Ali

Award for 'Bang' Ali

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences presented the Sarwono
Award to former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin for his great
efforts in developing marine science and technology. On Saturday
Ali, better known as Bang Ali, also received the Cipta Utama
Award from the Jakarta Arts Council for his vision to build the
Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) among other art centers.

The 75-year-old retired marine general has also received
awards from Yogyakarta for his achievement in promoting batik in
the 1970s.

Last year Ali was also awarded for his initiative in the
establishment of the badminton club, Jaya Raya, which has
produced world champion shuttlers.

The phenomenal 'Bang' Ali should always be remembered as the
visionary behind the Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (Legal Aid Institute),
and the construction of youth centers in the five mayoralties of
the capital.

While Jakarta is busy with the election of governor for the
2002-2007 term, awards for Ali make us think what kind of
governor Jakarta really needs. It is not that easy to find a
governor who can implement his bright visions and ideas like Ali
Sadikin could.

The outspoken Ali is a staunch critic of his successors'
policies who have been progressively destroying what he built and
managed. Not one of his successors has taken his advice or
responded positively to his criticism. It is no wonder then, that
what we have now is a chaotic capital city.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta