Compensation undecided for lights
Damar Harsanto, Jakarta
Although the Rp 15 billion (US$1.6 million) laser show project at the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta has already begun, the city administration has yet to complete its negotiation with the project's sponsor over the compensation.
"We are still negotiating with the company on some locations in the city in exchange to the project," said assistant to the city secretary for development affairs IGKG Suena recently.
He argued that PT Ava Banindo -- the subcontractor of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur instant noodle giant in the laser light project -- did not give any timeframe for the conclusion of the negotiation.
According to Suena, the administration has offered 12 locations to the company, including major thoroughfares such as Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman.
However, he said the company proposed a renewal of its videotronic billboard near Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.
"The company's rental of the spot will expire next year. That's why it is requesting the renewal of the videotronic advertising as compensation."
Suena said the administration would look into the possibility of extending the permit, but it would require the company to modify the advertisement so that it was in harmony with other ornaments in the vicinity.
City councillors have repeatedly criticized the administration for bartering the funding of city projects in exchange for strategic sites for outdoor advertising, saying that similar deals in the past were not transparent and marred by corruption and collusion.
In the past, the administration has carried out many beautification projects, including the Rp 14 billion renovation of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle fountain, the Rp 4 billion Arjuna Wijaya statue renovation project and the Rp 3.5 billion General Soedirman statue. None of these deals were made through a tender.
Despite criticism, the administration has continued to pursue such deals, the latest being the laser show project at Monas Park, which is part of the Jakarta's 477th anniversary celebration.
The new lighting, which alters the color of Monas' tower and displays images on the tower's sides, can be seen in the evening on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.