`Monas fence a waste of money'
National Monument Park, or Monas, a favorite place for low-income people to recreate, looks a bit different now with the high fence which cost Rp 8.7 billion. The city administration also plans to release deer into the park. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents about the park.
Heru, 27, a newspaper boy in West Jakarta who has been selling newspapers on the street for more than two years. He is a resident of Parung, West Java:
I think public parks like Monas are very important for low- income people like me. We also deserve public places where we can have recreation.
The poor people always work so hard and they need time to relax once in a while. Monas is affordable for the city residents here.
With just a little money we can have cheap food, snacks or drinks. So that's an ideal place for the poor.
The fact that now Monas is encircled with the high fence really makes me confused. I don't even understand how much the fence cost.
I cannot even imagine about the deer in the park. I can't comment on it. Anyway, it's okay if it is to make the park look more attractive.
Rudolf Hutajulu, 23, a sidewalk vendor selling VCDs in Senen, Central Jakarta, for more than a year. He lives with his wife in Galur, Central Jakarta:
Of course, we need a public park like Monas to have fun and do some recreation. I realize that all city residents need such a place despite the social status.
Where do you think the low-income people like me can have affordable recreation here? There are many low-income people who spend leisure time in Monas.
I guess the city administration doesn't want us too much. I wonder why it should build the Rp 8.7 billion high fence in Monas. It's too much money, I know that. That much budget could have been allocated to help the poor. Or, with that money, it would be better to relocate the street vendors like me so as to make the city better.
The idea of putting deer in the park is also absurd. How much will the city spend to keep the animals? So, what is Ragunan Zoo for?
Warto, 24, a bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) driver in East Jakarta who resides in Pulogadung, East Jakarta:
I am of the opinion that a public park like Monas is very important. That's the best place to go for almost all the low- income people.
I myself sometimes go there with my family for recreation. It's an affordable place to have fun compared to the other public places in the city. I cannot afford the entrance ticket for places like Ancol and can't buy anything at the big malls. Monas is the best place, after all.
I think the amount of the city budget allotted to the fencing of Monas is a waste. The public is much happier to have a park open without fences like it has now, and it makes public access to the park more difficult.
One thing for sure is that people might not be interested in going there anymore due to the fence. Worse, it won't attract more visitors to come, particularly on Sundays. This means less income for bajaj drivers. I sometimes take people there on holidays.
The idea of releasing deer in Monas makes is a joke. Sounds funny, doesn't it? I don't know what that is for, especially for the poor.
Less and less low-income people will go because they will possibly be charged an admission fee to the park.
Andra, 31, a student of a state university in Jakarta. She resides in Kayu Jati, East Jakarta with her daughter and husband:
Public parks like Monas are badly needed for the city residents. A big city like Jakarta actually needs many more public parks that can provide more fresh air and trees.
I disagree with the fencing of Monas. The encircled high fences will not solve the core of the social problem, including the street vendors, prostitutes and hoodlums.
The fence is not the best solution to create order in the city. It would be better to spend the Rp 8.7 billion of budget by giving it to the vendors and prostitutes or to relocate them in a proper place. What a waste. Moreover, the iron fences are still prone to all manner of vandalism.
If the city administration release deer in Monas, I don't think the animals will survive in this polluted city. The chaotic and polluted city can easily make people depressed, and the animals are more sensitive than human beings.
Well, the idea is good but it's not realistic at all.
--Leo Wahyudi S