New HI pond in trouble after Rp 14b renovation

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Less than a month after being renovated, the water fountain in the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle needs repairing due to imperfections in its construction, which cost a hefty Rp 14 billion.

The northern and eastern parts of the fountain pool have been damaged, leaving two piles of rubble on the scene.

"The problem lies in the drainage system, which does not work well, causing water to overflow into the street," said a maintenance man at the scene.

Four spotlights were broken after becoming covered in water, he said.

"Repairs are imperative because the water overflow could put pedestrians in danger of electrocution," he warned.

He said the pool overflowed when all the water pumps were operating. "That's why we can only operate two of the five pumps."

The HI traffic circle is a popular spot for demonstrations.

The renovation of the traffic circle fountain began in March and was completed in June. It was officially reopened on June 21, in conjunction with Jakarta's anniversary.

However, Mauritz Napitupulu, head of the City Parks Agency, revealed that the fountain only underwent minor repairs.

"We only conducted minor repairs on some parts of the pool, which is still imperfect," Mauritz remarked.

Mauritz blamed the trouble on the underground drainage system, which is linked to Kali Gresik River to the east and Kebon Kacang River to the west.

However, Mauritz claimed that "such minor repairs" would be completed within two weeks.

He said that all of the repair costs were the responsibility of the contractor, publicly listed construction firm Jaya Konstruksi, which is partly controlled by businessman Ciputra.

Mauritz said his office estimated that monthly operational costs amounted to Rp 23 million.

"We need the money for to change the spotlight bulbs, clean the water fountain of grit and make any changes to the water fountain system, among other things," he said.

Mauritz brushed off a statement attributed to him in Koran Tempo claiming that maintenance for the water fountain cost Rp 2.7 billion a year.

The renovation of the HI traffic circle came under the spotlight not only due to the huge cost, but also for the controversy it created after it was reported that the renovation was financed through the exchange of 10 advertising spots in 10 places in the city.

The advertising spots are located on Jl. MT. Haryono and Jl. Pasar Rebo in East Jakarta; Jl. Rasuna Said and Jl. Kemang Raya, in South Jakarta; Jl. Tomang Raya, Jl. Panjang and Jl. Arjuna in West Jakarta, and Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Asia Afrika and Jl. RM. Margono Margodirejo in Central Jakarta.

The sale of advertising spots is unusual, since it was not conducted by open tender. The administration argued that tendering the deal would have taken longer, while funds for the renovation were urgently needed.