what were they thinking?...

There will be a new attraction in the National Monument (Monas). A Las Vegas Bellagio-like water fountain is scheduled to operate in the west part of the park on July 18. Sure, it will be a beautiful sight to see amidst the frantic city of Jakarta, but what exactly were they thinking when they planned to build this US$ 2.7 million (that’s Rp 26 billion) project? Surely not about the 8,455 children reported to have malnourishment in the city... The 45 meters in width and 80 meters in length fountain will feature 10 choreographed dances performed by jets of water alongside 14 song titles including; Jali-jali, Serasa, and Le Toreadors. But who do you think gonna sing along to those songs, those homeless persons around the park?... The fountain will need a total power of 1,660 kilo volt ampere (KVA) to power the laser lights to create various visual effects unto the water screen, and the National Electricity Company (PLN) told us to save electricity powers... The irony…
Again, my question is; what the fuck were they thinking?...
Is this about improving the image of Jakarta? I am sorry, but you can not change an image without changing the reality. You can put on tons of make up, but in the end of the day you will still be you. In this case Jakarta will still be the “over populated, flooded every time it rains, 24 hours traffic jam, hot and humid” Jakarta, and don’t forget about the 8,455 malnourished children…
US$ 2.7 million is not a small amount of money, especially when it goes to a fountain, even for a Las Vegas Bellagio-like water fountain. Imagine if we can use the money to fund a project to eradicate the malnourishment problem or to fund a project for public transportations enhancement (the 2nd phase of busway project is halted due to the lack of funding), a project to rejuvenate the old city area for tourism, a project for the education of street kids, a project for public health improvement, a project for the city flood response scheme, I can go on, but I think you’ve already got the picture.
I am not against the idea of making Jakarta a more beautiful city, but there are priorities. What should be done first and what could be done in another time. And in my humble opinion there are more important things to be done than building a Las Vegas Bellagio-like water fountain that cost US$ 2.7 million.
I could be wrong, but my question remains; what the fuck were they thinking?...

Comments

[Sasanti]

Project money.... that's what they were thinking.