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