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.