Map madness

Map madness

From Kompas

Elementary school pupils in West Sumatra are usually told that
the equator passes through Kota Bonjol, some four hours' overland
trip to the north of the capital city of Padang. It means that
Padang is to the south of this equator. In Kota Bonjol you can
see a monument as a sign that the equator passes through this
town.

Unfortunately, in most maps, for example those published in
Surabaya, the equator is shown to pass through Padang, instead of
Kota Bonjol.

I have checked four maps published by four publishers on sale
at Gramedia book shop and three of them show this mistake.

About two decades ago, when I was still an elementary school
pupil, my parents pointed out the same mistake. In those days,
Ghalia was the only map publisher. This mistake was repeated in
later editions.

This is a gross error because it is misleading to everybody --
young and old -- using the map. It may cause us to lose hundreds
of square kilometers if, for example, there is a border dispute
with our neighboring countries.

Relevant government authorities must quickly address this
matter.

RAHMAT FEBRIANTO

Padang
West Sumatra