What's in a name?

What's in a name?

From Neraca

The Jl. Satrio inner ring road, better known as Jl. Casablanca, is set to become Jakarta's equivalent of Singapore's Orchard Road because it will be surrounded by super-luxurious apartments and shopping malls. Amazingly, this area will bear the name of Ciputra City.

Ciputra is a household name in Jakarta. He is a respected and admired figure in city and housing development. There is a Bank Ciputra, a Ciputra hotel and mall.

But does the use of a person's name, however famous that person is, carry any other implications? For example, the cult of the individual. This was radically fought against in the 1960s.

The use of somebody's name on merchandise is common, but for a product linked to public facilities, it has a far wider impact than business. It will certainly enter into sociopolitics and become a sensitive matter.

It is different from the use of someone's name for a street. This is limited to those who contributed to the struggle for independence in this country.

This letter is meant as an invitation for reflection, particularly for Ciputra himself. The tendency runs the risk of other names being used and we'll have Salim City, Ryadi City (the current Lippo City) and Darmadi City, etc.

Doesn't our Indonesian language have any beautiful words which can be used to name high quality products, the masterpieces manufactured by our grand masters?

This is essential. Our society's harmony and plurality should not be compartmentalized as a result of thoughtlessness.

TAUFIK KARMADI

Jakarta