PT Sampoerna to renovate Hotel Indonesia traffic circle
PT Sampoerna to renovate Hotel Indonesia traffic circle
JAKARTA (JP): People, including street protesters, will see a
new look fountain at the famous Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in
Central Jakarta following the announcement of PT Sampoerna, a
giant cigarette producer, of its plan to undertake a massive
renovation worth Rp 3.7 billion (US$393,615).
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, City Parks Agency head
Dadang Ruskandar said that Governor Sutiyoso has given the green
light for the renovation work, which is expected to start early
next year and be completed shortly before next year's Jakarta
anniversary on June 21.
"The fountain is already too old and many of the waterspouts
are broken. We are also going to improve the fountain technology
so as to beautify the site, which is the center of the capital,"
Dadang said after a meeting with the governor.
Over the past three years, the traffic circle, with the
Selamat Datang (Welcome) monument in the center, has become one
of the most popular places for many people, including street
protesters, political party supporters and NGO members, to hold
rallies or give voice to their demands. Some people have even
broken the waterspouts and lamps, and climbed to the top of the
monument in the center of the traffic circle during such
demonstrations.
"Don't worry, people can still stage rallies at the traffic
circle," Dadang remarked.
According to the plan, the fountain would have five types of
waterspout and be decked out in colorful lights, Dadang said.
During the meeting with Sutiyoso, the governor asked him only
to carefully study the terms of the agreement so as to avoid the
possibility of his administration violating the prevailing
regulations, he added.
"The governor told me to study the relevant regulations first
because the city administration will allow the company to place
its logo (in the form of capital A) at the center of the traffic
circle.
If it is not against any regulations, we will go ahead with
the plan as soon as possible," Dadang said.
Under the plan, PT Sampoerna would be allowed to light up the
company's logo for 15 minutes every night.
"Every night, a big capital A will be illuminated at the
fountain," he added.
The fountain was constructed in 1959 as the then president
Sukarno wanted to beautify the city ahead of the 1962 Asian
Games.
According to Dadang, his office has also made offers to other
private companies to finance the renovation and maintenance of
the city's other fountains, such as those located in the Monas
(National Monument) park in Central Jakarta and Senayan Square in
South Jakarta.
"This is in line with our project to privatize the maintenance
of parks across the capital so that my office can focus on
planting trees in slum areas of the city," Dadang said.
The City Parks Agency spends some Rp 11.6 billion per year on
park maintenance.
Jakarta used to be home to 529 parks covering an area of
177.29 square kilometers. Currently, it only has some 220 parks
remaining as more than 300 former parks have already been
converted to other uses, such as trading sites, fuel stations,
community centers and police posts. (dja)