Senen, Jakarta's real mess

Senen, Jakarta's real mess

From Warta Kota

The Senen area in Central Jakarta has long been a gathering
place for artists as well as a hoodlum operational area. The
predominance of a serious criminal element has now even made the
zone "untouchable" --- Jakarta security personnel and police will
not go near the area, let alone curb any crime.

As a result, the Senen Triangle is currently bursting with
sidewalk vendors and various other traders, making a mess of the
first modern commercial center developed by governor Ali Sadikin
in the 1970s.

I would like to suggest that Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and the
Central Jakarta mayor take a good look at Bandung, where the
Tegalega area has been restored to its original beauty -- well
before the recent Asia-Africa Conference commemoration.

Will Senen remain a sleazy, overcrowded crime zone forever?

ACHMAD SOLIHIN
Cibinong, West Java