The HI Roundabout Bus Stop Covers The Welcome Statue, Transjakarta Sentil Historian: Inevitably Competing With Bung Karno!

The Transjakarta fleet with the background of the Welcome Statue. (Twitter @PT_Transjakarta)

JAKARTA - The historian of Jakarta, JJ Rizal, has questioned the construction of the revitalization of the Transjakarta Bus Stop in the HI Roundabout which hinders his view towards the Welcome Statue which is now designated as an object of alleged cultural heritage (ODCB).

According to JJ Rizal, the Welcome Statue has a high historical value. He explained that the statue at the HI Roundabout was the work of the 1st President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno with Governor Henk Ntik and maestro host Edhi Sunarso.

" Transjakarta should respect the historical area, not even compete with Bung Karno as an architect who works with Abel Sorensen, a maestro who is a statue artist, and Governor Henk Don't depend on him. It's not appropriate to compete with them," said JJ Rizal to VOI, Friday, September 30.

JJ Rizal said that the HI Roundabout area was also a symbol of a change from a colonial city to a national city. It is also filled with the spirit of a friendly nation to carry out world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice.

Not to mention, Transjakarta plans to commercialize the HI Roundabout Bus Stop by placing business tenants in it. In fact, JJ Rizal emphasized that Transjakarta should build infrastructure that respects historical areas.

"This is actually competing with buildings that prioritize profit interests over respect interests. It's the brake, commercialization lust. Why make buildings rented to tenants? You can sell them on this, on that. But not in historic areas, please!" he said.

Therefore, JJ Rizal asked Transjakarta to change the design of the HI Roundabout building which is simpler and does not hinder the view on the historical area.

"My suggestion is that the architectural design must lie down. It is sought which is much more respectful of the historic area. It does not actually inflate itself as if it are more luxurious than the historical site," he asserted.

Separately, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Restoration Session Team (TSP) Boy Bhirawa revealed that the revitalization of the HI Roundabout Transjakarta Bus Stop violated cultural heritage conservation procedures.

Adapun kawasan Bundaran HI yang ditetapkan sebagai ODCB adalah Patung Selamat, airguman, dan jalan di sekitarnya. Meski masih berstatus diduga cagar budaya, kawasan Bundaran HI tetap harus diperlakukan cagar budaya.

"The restoration area of the cultural heritage belongs to the public, it belongs to the real citizens of the city. An important area that has indications of historicality or meaning in the city must remain in its position. So, it should not be covered up or damaged," said Boy.

Boy views that PT Transjakarta should have asked for recommendations from the TSP and the Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB) before constructing the revitalization of the bus stop near the cultural heritage area. This recommendation is produced from expert studies.

"So all objects suspected of cultural heritage should have gone through the restoration team of the Restoration Session Team," said Boy.