Joggers protest Thamrin closure
Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakartans who used to jog and exercise along the capital's main arteries Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta on Sundays, blasted the decision of Governor Sutiyoso to close the roads to all sports activities, saying the policy restricted access to public spaces.
"The reason given for closing the roads is nonsense. It seems that the administration is more concerned with the median strips than the people's need for open space," Rima, 27, an employee of a private firm on Jl. Thamrin, told The Jakarta Post.
Rima was alluding to the administration's failure to provide open spaces and parks where residents could exercise. Thus, it was no wonder that Jakartans had to exercise on the streets.
"It's only once a week for a couple of hours while the road is empty, so it doesn't disturb motorists ... It is possible that people damage some parts of the median strips, but I don't think its a big deal as they can be maintained by the parks agency," Rima argued.
Similarly, Anita, 30, a graduate student of a state university, labeled the policy ridiculous.
"Jakarta residents are the taxpayers. They pay taxes for the roads too, so they deserve to enjoy their use. It's completely unfair as the corrupt administration has never provided proper facilities for the public. Now, tell me, where do they think people can go to exercise for free?" said Anita.
Jl M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, which used to be packed with joggers, were quiet last Sunday morning with no joggers or people exercising to be seen.
Sutiyoso had allowed Jakartans to use the arteries to jog or exercise since the early years of his first term as Jakarta governor (1997-2002).
City spokesman Muhayat said the National Monument Park (Monas) and the Senayan sports stadium's parking lots had been chosen as the designated places for Jakartans wanting to exercise or engage in other recreational activities.
"Instead of closing the arteries for joggers, we have provided Monas and Senayan sport stadium's parking lots. They still have alternative places to exercise," Muhayat told The Jakarta Post.
Muhayat said the policy had been adopted due to the fact that joggers were ruining public facilities along the roads' median strips, including intentionally walking on the grass and sitting on the wire fences.
However, Muhayat said the governor's policy would be subject to review if many people objected to it "just as happened when the administration decided to close these roads for sports activities in the first place."
Sutiyoso said on Monday he would change his mind if the people who used the roads to exercise could ensure that public facilities would not be damaged.