`Monas fence will limit access'

The city administration unveiled on Monday the new look of the National Monument (Monas) park with its high fences, worth almost Rp 9 billion. Even though there is no charge for entering the park, people are afraid that they will eventually have to pay an admission. Some city residents gave different responses when The Jakarta Post asked them about the issue.

Sisca, 32, is a housewife who resides in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, with her two children and husband:

As a parent, I am terribly disappointed with the fencing that has been put up around the National Monument (Monas) park, because my children will not be able to play there as freely as they have before. I go twice a month to Monas with my family.

When I took my children to the park earlier this month, I didn't know what to tell them as they stood behind the fence in disappointment.

They used to fly kites in the park, buy snacks or toys and spend hours playing there. I think it's a cheap, fun way to entertain children. They are fed up with going to shopping malls.

I think that Monas belongs to the city's residents, particularly those of us on a low income who need a place to unwind. The fencing really makes the park less accessible to the public.

Personally, I prefer Monas to be a place that is "open" and without fences, despite the fact that the park looks better and cleaner with them.

Madjid has been a public minivan driver for 17 years, plying the route between Tanah Abang and Meruya. He lives in Cikampek, West Java, with his wife and three children:

I used to go to the park after work, but I rarely go there nowadays, maybe only once every two months. It is usually because my friends or family ask me to take them there.

When I went there after work, there were a lot of hoodlums and prostitutes (at night), but they did not bother me as I didn't have any cash on me.

With the new fences, it means that I will not have free access to the park, even just to take a rest.

With deer in the park, the place will look more like a zoo.

Imam, 31, is a sidewalk vendor who sells cigarettes and soft drinks in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He lives in his kiosk with his wife and son:

I used to be a hawker at the park years ago, but I moved to another part of the city as there were too many thugs, pickpockets and prostitutes operating there.

I didn't feel safe there because of the hoodlums, and I had to be on my guard all the time.

I've never gone back there as nothing there interests me, let alone with the way it is now after the renovation. It just does not appeal to me at all.

I'm sure the public will have to pay admission sooner or later and we won't be free to go there for a rest.

Despite the better security, I wonder if every Jakartan will feel free to go whenever they want to Monas, which is seen as one of the capital's landmarks.

As for the plan to have deer in the park, maybe the government wants to make it like a zoo. However, the place still does not interest me.

Artalina , 26, is an employee at a private company in Central Jakarta. She lives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, with her family:

I'm a resident of Jakarta, but it's been a long time since I visited Monas. It's been more than 10 years since I was there last.

I am personally not interested in going to Monas, maybe because it's in Jakarta, and I can go there anytime. I don't think there is anything special about it anymore.

A lot of my friends are fond of the park, and they spend hours there relaxing in the fresh air.

I find that surprising noting the fact that there is a high fence around the park. I am afraid that the fence will restrict the public's access to the park. How can urban residents, especially those who are barely getting by, have any way of enjoying themselves in their spare time?

Not only that, but it's the only comfortable park where people can go and take a break from the rigors of living in the city.

Personally, I disagree with the fencing because it reduces the public's access to the park.

-- Leo Wahyudi S