City lacks public facilities, service

While Jakarta beautifies itself prior to its 478th anniversary today, two tourists are forced to sit on the curb on Jl. Prof. M. Yamien, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, because there are no parks or benches to be found around the heart of the capital.

Poor public services remains a big problem for the city, according to a survey carried out by the Indonesian Institute for Civil Service (INCIS) published in May. Because of the lack of facilities, pedestrians find it difficult to stroll around the capital.

On Wednesday the Jakarta administration will be holding day- long festivities to celebrate the anniversary of the city.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the National Monument (Monas) across from City Hall, the administration will be holding a ceremony called Betawi Ngumpul (the gathering of native Jakartans), which will be continued with an official statement by Governor Sutiyoso at City Council at 10 a.m.

Arts and cultural performances will be held in City Hall from 7:30 p.m. onwards, while Sutiyoso is scheduled to officiate at a ceremony at the Jakarta Fairground, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, which will feature fireworks. -- JP