Thamrin-Sudirman closure canceled

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso has reversed his decision to close Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta for Sunday jogging and other sports activities amid mounting public criticism over the controversial policy.

Though Sutiyoso himself announced the roads would be closed to recreational users, Sutiyoso ordered his subordinates to announce the policy u-turn.

City Park Agency head Mauritz Napitupulu confirmed on Wednesday that Sutiyoso would allow Jakartans to use the roads, provided they did not damage vegetation on the median strips.

"Pak Sutiyoso told me 'Okay, let's see. They (the people) can use the roads as long as they maintain the parks'," Mauritz quoted Sutiyoso as saying.

Sutiyoso decided to close from next Sunday, claiming people had damaged the median strips by trampling on grass and flowers and sitting on the fence wires.

Concurring with Sutiyoso, Mauritz said some parts of the parks near the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle were damaged.

Sutiyoso's decision has raised the ire of the public who use the roads for exercise on Sundays amid limited open spaces in the capital.--JP