Kemayoran Tower

Kemayoran Tower

From Tiras

Legislator Theo Syafei expressed in an interview printed by
Tiras magazine on Nov. 2 his disapproval of the construction of
the Kemayoran Tower, which will be built by a number of business
tycoons. He said the money would better be used in the people's
interest by lending it to the government to speed up the
alleviation of poverty in this country.

The legislator, who is deputy chairman of the Armed Forces
faction in the House of Representatives, is against the idea of
such a prestigious building. I share his opinion that "if
Indonesia's poverty line is eliminated, that would be
prestigious".

Theo Syafei's view is apparently not totally against the
project. However, he questions its timing. There are more urgent
matters which need addressing, such as aid to people and the
alleviation of poverty which is a big problem in Indonesia.

Having the Kemayoran Tower, although to be among the highest
in the world, will not be prestigious for the Indonesian nation
if a great many Indonesians still live under the poverty line.
The more so if many people still have to earn their living as
laborers or domestic help in other countries.

We should not be tempted to vie with our neighbor Malaysia
with its Kuala Lumpur Tower. Their progress and capacity justify
the building of the tower. Admitting and accepting such reality
should not make us feel inferior. On the contrary, it should
strengthen our determination to step up efforts to develop our
nation.

SUMEDAH MANGKODILAGA

South Jakarta