`Monas fence a waste of money'
`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