Planet Senen Youth Center will be relocated: Mayor

Planet Senen Youth Center will be relocated: Mayor

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta administration is planning
to relocate the Planet Senen Youth Center in Senen to Kemayoran
and construct a shopping center in its place, mayor Andi Subur
Abdullah said on Wednesday.

"The area is good for business since it is located between the
Senen railway station and the Senen bus terminal.

"However, the social environment here is no longer suitable
for youth development," he told The Jakarta Post over the phone.

"Our proposal has been approved by the City Council," the
retired Army colonel said.

Senen is one of busiest shopping areas in the city. Besides,
it has also become a first stop for migrants before they settle
down in the capital as many of them who come to Jakarta by train,
disembark at the Senen railway station.

The area is also crime-ridden. Burglaries, robberies and
holdups are common occurrences.

Sophian Azpina, head of the youth center, said the area was no
longer favorable as a place for youths to congregate.

"The crime rate here is getting higher. Therefore, the
objective of the center to educate youths through positive
activities is no longer achievable here," Sophian told Post at
his office on Wednesday.

Along with the Bulungan Youth Center in Blok M, South Jakarta,
the 18,000-square-meter Planet Senen Youth Center used to be a
popular hangout for youths in the city.

Activities held at the center, which was opened in 1974,
include sport, theater and art, and also social and political
discussions.

Sophian conceded that the center appeared dirty and
disorganized.

"Many street vendors, vagrants and the homeless stay in the
building compound. Some of the floors of the building have fallen
into ruin from neglect," he said.

The center's poor condition had been criticized by former
mayor Abdul Kahfi.

"The premises have been abused. Street vendors operate here
without permits, while many vagrants live there. The building has
likely not been properly maintained," Kahfi, who is now deputy
governor for government affairs, once said.

Sophian, however, said his office had no authority to evict
the street vendors from the building compound.

"It's either the responsibility of the police or the city
public order authority. Besides, if we force them out of this
strategic place for business, they might resist," he said.

The Planet Senen Youth Center's Youth Union said they didn't
object to the relocation, although they admitted the present
location was very strategic.

"We agree with the planned relocation but the new place must
provide better facilities to its users," he said, without going
into details.

Meanwhile, mayor Andi said the administration was now seeking
investors to construct a shopping center in its place.

"Once we get one (investor), the construction can begin in
January," he said.

He said the administration preferred the project to be carried
out through the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) system.

"Through the system, the investor will be allowed to operate
the building until a certain period of time before the it is
returned to the administration," he said. (asa)