'Cafes, shops in museums are fine'

The country's first high-rise hotel, Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta, will be soon be integrated with a 'super-mall', while the ongoing renovations on the 200-year-old Luar Batang Mosque in Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, have given it a modern aspect. The Jakarta Post talked to two people about what should be done with heritage sites.

Multazzam, 28, is a journalist with the Tempointeraktif website located in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. He lives in a rented house in Karet, Central Jakarta:

I don't know whether I should blame the city administration or other institutions for the poor condition of historical sites or old buildings in Jakarta. To be honest, I've never visited one of the historic buildings or museums here because I don't know much about them. I don't even know how many there are or what they offer to visitors.

I think if the administration promoted these old buildings and museums and provided information about them, people would be more interested in visiting them.

Aditya, 26, is an account executive with a communications company in South Jakarta. He lives in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta:

I like the heritage buildings in the Kota area, West Jakarta, particularly the Arsip Nasional building (on Jl. Gajah Mada). I also like the National Museum (on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat).

Renovating such buildings is fine with me as long as it is in keeping with the historical value of the buildings.

Adding some functions to such buildings is also fine with me, as long as the function, once again, will not ruin the historical form.

For example, establishing a cafe where people sit and relax drinking coffee is fine. Gift shops are also fine.

In my opinion, the city has not yet managed its heritage sites optimally. I mean, don't stop at renovating the faces of the buildings -- telling the story behind the building is also necessary if you want to attract people.

--The Jakarta Post