'Renovate historic sites, don't destroy them'

Jakarta has numerous heritage sites and buildings, but many of them have been abandoned and are in a state of disrepair, while other sites have been forever lost to development. The Jakarta Post talked to residents about what the city administration should do with the capital's heritage sites.

Nonie, 24, works as a PR consultant for herbal cosmetics producer Mustika Ratu. She lives with her family in Ciledug, South Jakarta:

I used to go to museums and other historic sites when I was in elementary school, but not anymore. The last time was when I was in college and I went to the Textile Museum in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. But I was there to attend a competition, not to see the museum itself.

As far as I know the city administration pays little attention to old buildings and historic sites, so most of them are in poor condition. No wonder most people are uninterested in visiting them.

I hope the administration can begin renovating old buildings and other historic sites. That will be a good start for introducing and promoting these sites to people. Of course, any renovation work would be welcome as long as it did not change the original features of the historic buildings.

Tiara, 18, is a university student. She lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, with her parents:

I am majoring in architecture and the lecturers keep telling us to open our eyes to the variety of architecture in the country. And Jakarta is certainly a comprehensive classroom for this study, because we can learn not only about the buildings but also the lives of the people of that era.

I think historic sites and buildings in the city should be protected because they are not just our link to the past, but they are valuable items of knowledge and science.

If renovation work is intended to maintain the historic buildings, that is OK with me. But if the city administration or businesspeople want to replace them with modern buildings, then please reconsider.

--The Jakarta Post