'Renovate historic sites, don't destroy them'

'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