'We need a governor with clear vision'
Jakarta's official 477th anniversary on Tuesday was marked with performances at City Hall as well as a light show at the National Monument (Monas) nearby. Despite the celebration, many issues still need to be addressed by the city administration. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on their expectations regarding the future of the capital.
Kiki, 31, is a freelancer in a graphic design agency. She lives by herself in a low-cost apartment in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta:
Jakarta needs to have more low-cost apartments instead of luxury ones. There are too many plush apartments, many of which are empty. Many people buy the units more as investments and not to live in.
The reality is, most Jakartans are on middle to low incomes. They can only afford low-cost apartments. If such apartments are built in the city center, people can live there and not have to commute every day from the surrounding cities, thus resulting in less traffic.
Right now, it is unclear where the capital is going to. There seems to be no spatial plan. I think Jakarta could be a nice place to live in. Bogota, for example, was a mess until it got a mayor who could turn it around.
That's what we need, a governor with a vision about what to do with the city.
Imelda, 26, is a teacher in a national-plus school in South Jakarta. She lives with her family in Cinere, Depok:
Jakarta does not seem like a city that is 477 years old. It doesn't look old and it has no characteristic it can call its own. Oh wait, yes there is: traffic congestion.
I hope that by the time Jakarta celebrates its 500th anniversary, the traffic jams will be a thing of the past. I'm giving it a lot of time as I know there is not much hope in the short term. Anyway, I have gotten used to the traffic, so it's not such a problem for me.
Jakarta's anniversary should be made a special holiday. The main streets should be closed off for a big party, with a carnival and everything ... perhaps like a Mardi Gras? That would be fun. People could leave their cars behind and just take to the streets.
-- The Jakarta Post