'Jakarta Fairground is too far'

The Jakarta Fair has taken place every year in the capital since 1969. First staged at the National Monument (Monas), the event was moved to the site of the former Kemayoran airport in 1992. The new area, named Jakarta Fairground, was designed to promote business and public entertainment. Some people shared their comments about the event, which this year is staged to commemorate the city's 475th anniversary, with The Jakarta Post.

Marto, 67, lives in Klender, East Jakarta with his family. The retired grandfather of six has lived in the city for around 40 years.

"The Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, doesn't really attract my attention. Despite the opening, I guess there's nothing special at the event.

I used to visit the fair at Monas when I was young, but I didn't go very often.

The Kemayoran area is too far for elderly people like me. I would be exhausted because of the traffic even before reaching the venue. Even though elderly people get free tickets, I still don't know when to go ... it's too far.

Maybe I would go there if I was healthy. I don't see the point of going there. What is there to see? It will be, more or less, the same as it used to be. I'm just fond of new things offered at the fair."

Evelynn Tjen, is a 32-year-old mother. She lives on the Sunter housing estate, North Jakarta, which is only 1.5 kilometers from the venue.

"Is it (the Jakarta Fair) open today? Oh, I have just found out. I have not been to the fair since its venue was moved from Monas to the Jakarta fairground in Kemayoran.

People have said the fair is not very impressive.

They also complain about the difficulty of getting a parking space and that the venue is not very safe for visitors. These factors makes me reluctant to go there.

I think the organizers must feature unique dishes or provide other attractive programs to lure more visitors.

Speaking about food, I only remember eating American donuts when I last visited the event."

Rudi Kusumasastra, was born in Jakarta 40 years ago. He works in a private company on Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.

"Visiting the Jakarta Fair is not on my family's list of recreational activities this year. We've visited the event twice before, but that's enough.

We were hardly able to enjoy the event because it was only meant for business. There were some entertainment programs but I was not interested.

I personally don't enjoy it because it's too crowded. I can't stand the long queues at the entrance gate and parking lots."

Yesisca, 22, lives in Rawamangun district, East Jakarta. She works as a sales promotion girl for a South Korean snack company.

"I visit the Jakarta Fair every year. I usually come with my friends. As this is a promotional event, I always try to find something new.

I think the place is also good for people who want to come for entertainment as various cultural shows are also being performed here. I think this tradition should be continued.

However, I think the tickets are too expensive for most people as each person is charged Rp 6,000 (on weekdays) and the venue is too far away." -- JP