Public beaches must remain public domain

One particular development scheme is upsetting Yogyakarta's Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. The project in question involves the development of Parangtritis Beach on the south coast of Yogyakarta into a tourist resort complete with hotel, recreation parks, golf courses and other facilities.

Many aspects of this mega-project have to be considered. One of them is the special position which Parangtritis occupies in the minds of the people of Yogyakarta. The beach is linked to the history of the Yogyakarta sultanate. It is one of three major points on the same metaphysical axis on which the kraton (royal court) and Mount Merapi are also located and a number of court rituals are performed on this beach.

Aside from all this, Parangtritis is one of the most popular beaches not only for people from Yogyakarta, but also from other places in Central Java. In this way, the beach provides a source of income for people living in its surroundings.

It is for these reasons that the Sultan is strongly opposed to the plan. Let Parangtritis remain a public beach -- not one that is managed by a privately owned business. The Sultan has offered an alternative, saying that if a resort is to be built for tourist development purposes, why not build it on the comparatively less developed Samas beach?

The entire controversy concerns not only the question of whether or not a project can be realized at Parangtritis. It also concerns the question of how to properly approach a beach resort development scheme. Reality shows that many public beaches over the years have come under the control of either individuals or private business. Anyer Beach on the Sunda Strait is an example. There, the public's interests have been totally neglected.

We hope that beginning with the Parangtritis case the authorities will place a greater emphasis on the public's needs rather than those of either private individuals or businesses in their consideration of projects.

-- Republika, Jakarta