'Menteng stadium is an historical site'

'Menteng stadium is an historical site'

The move to convert Menteng Soccer Stadium into a city park has
sparked protests from noted public figures and scholars, who
suspect foul play in the plan as the Sutiyoso administration will
be inviting investors to open cafes and other entertainment
venues there. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their comments
on the proposal.

Agus Sudharto, 22, is an amateur football player at Asy-
Syafiiyah University, Pondok Gede, East Jakarta. He lives with
his family in Bekasi:

I totally disagree. There are not many soccer fields in
Greater Jakarta, why should we close one? Moreover, the Menteng
stadium has been the home of the Jakarta soccer club Persija for
a long time. We should keep the tradition alive.

Moreover, Persija is one of the best clubs Indonesia has. It
performs well in Asia Champions League and in the national
league. These achievements are closely related to the role of the
Menteng stadium.

City parks are only meant for people to have fun in. I do
agree that green spaces should be expanded, but why couldn't the
administration build in empty spaces that are spread across the
city?

Yes, it might be used for sport activities, such as jogging,
but I don't think it will attract many people, not as many as a
soccer game could do.

If they insist on converting the place into a city park, the
place should cater to many activities other than jogging. There
should be activities that will affect many people, such as
bazaars and charity events. There should also be a place for
vendors.

Vicky Sastro, 25, is a freelance writer for a Javanese
magazine. He lives in a rented house in Depok:

Of course I am against it, I am one of the few Jakartans who
usually play soccer there. I think the stadium should be
renovated instead of converted.

The Jakarta administration could build a park or plant trees
around it. They don't have to demolish the stadium.

Historians say that we must preserve historical sites, that
should mean that we also have to preserve historical stadiums.

The administration could turn it into a luxury stadium in the
center of the city and at the same time make it a historical
landmark. We could use it for training and learning about our
past.

We have very few stadiums and historical buildings in the
city. We should start to appreciate these old buildings, while at
the same time make a profit out of them. There are many roads to
Rome, Bang Yos!

--The Jakarta Post