US Ambassador Invites Government To Reopen Blocked Sidewalks

Access to the front sidewalk of the US Ambassador's Office on Merdeka Selatan Street which is closed (Diah Ayu/VOI)

The United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia Sung Yong Kim has opened his voice about the polemic of blocking the sidewalk in front of the United States Embassy office on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.

After complaints emerged from the public, Sung Yong Kim invited the government to dismantle the concrete and barbed wire that blocked the pedestrian path in front of the US Embassy. This was conveyed through the official Twitter account @USAMbIndonesia.

According to Sung Yong Kim, pedestrian access is an important factor in the sustainability of activities in Jakarta as the big city of Indonesia.

"Accessibility, security, and walkability are important consideration factors for big cities like Jakarta. We welcome and look forward to collaboration with the Indonesian government for reopening the sidewalk in front of the US Embassy," wrote Sung Yong Kim, Tuesday, June 6.

Recently, there have been complaints from the public regarding the condition of the sidewalk or pedestrian lane in front of the blocked United States Embassy office, so that people cannot cross the sidewalk.

Responding to this, the Head of the Data and Information Center of the DKI Jakarta Highways Agency, Wiwik Wahyuni, admitted that he had received this complaint.

Wiwik said that the blockage of the front sidewalk at the embassy on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan was carried out on the grounds of security by the United States diplomatic representative office.

However, the DKI Provincial Government also wants the public to continue to get their right to use pedestrian paths. Therefore, DKI will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for help regarding the resolution of this problem.

"Paying attention to the interest and aspirations of the public to be able to use the pedestrian path sidewalk in front of the US Embassy on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan and also to pay attention to that in the area there is also a security perimeter of the Embassy, the Bina Marga Office will coordinate with related elements of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and also with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy to get the best technical solutions for all parties," Wiwik said in a short message.

The problem of the front sidewalk of the US Embassy was previously revealed in 2013. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, while serving as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, also responded at that time. However, this complaint arose again.

One of the complaints about the closure of the sidewalk to the public in front of the US Embassy and its use exclusively for visitors to the embassy came from the Pedestrian Coalition. Chairman of the Pedestrian Coalition Alfred Sitorus questioned why the public could not use their rights to the public space.

"Even though the US adheres to a city that is friendly to pedestrians. Why, it's as exclusive as the sidewalk? Even though it's a public space, you know. So, what doesn't belong to them should be subject to legal rights where they are," said Alfred.