Tower of indifference?

Tower of indifference?

This country is never short of controversy. Today, the fuss is
about several local business tycoons and their plan to build a
500-meter-high Jakarta Tower in the capital. The monument,
already billed as the world's third tallest tower after the CN
Tower in Toronto, Canada, and the Oskantino in Moscow, is not an
appropriate undertaking considering present social and economic
conditions in Indonesia. Furthermore, it would not serve national
interests or help the nation in our efforts to alleviate poverty.
A number of critics voicing this view include members of the
House of Representatives and former governors of Jakarta.

Sudwikatmono, one of the country's leading tycoons and the
developer of the project, has defended the plan, saying it will
be built by private companies as a monument to the success of the
New Order government. Responding to objections voiced by
lawmakers, Sudwikatmono says that the task of alleviating poverty
has already been addressed by the government.

For many, the US$400-million project is a reminder of the
public's opposition to late president Sukarno's activities. The
monuments he built here in the late 1950s and early 1960s, among
other things, contributed to his fall in 1966. The people found
Sukarno's projects a cruel mockery of the then dire economic
conditions, which were marked by a lack of food and long queues
to get kerosene and other daily necessities.

Had the flamboyant leader lived for another decade, many
believe that rice would have become a luxury beyond the reach of
common people. But the tallest of Sukarno's pet projects was
Monas, the National Monument in the center of Jakarta. Monas,
however, stands at about one-fourth of the height of the proposed
Jakarta Tower.

Although economic conditions have improved tremendously, 27
million still live in poverty. The tower would be built as slum
areas continue to mushroom in Jakarta, with health centers few
and far between.

Sudwikatmono's statement that poverty is being handled by the
authorities reveals his indifference to social solidarity, which
is badly needed to close the widening gaps in social status and
economic well-being. The nation, however, still needs foreign aid
as well as help from the private sector.

The wish to build a tower stems from concern that this country
will be left behind by neighboring countries like Malaysia, which
is currently constructing Asia's tallest building. Malaysia,
however, has a much stronger economy, a relatively small
population and far fewer class differences.

The conglomerates supporting the project are all proponents of
the social change presently taking place in Indonesian, which
explains their desire to express gratitude to the government that
has put them in their present position.

But perhaps it would be wiser for them to express their
monumental thanks in the form of modern hospitals and properly-
equipped schools. The republic has just turned 50 and quality
education is still out of the reach of many. Surely the New Order
government, and today's business community, would prefer to be
remembered for their generous contributions to the welfare of our
nation and future generations.

Nevertheless the project will continue to be debated and our
people will eventually learn that such slogans as social
solidarity will remain only slogans. Because the project involves
top businesspeople, it is likely that this controversy will end
up like all the rest: by kicking the ball upstairs.