Jakpro Reveals Reasons For Planetarium Still Not Functioning After Revitalization Of Taman Ismail Marzuki

Illustrations (Photo: DOC. Kemenag)

JAKARTA - Main Director of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) Iwan Takwin revealed the reason why the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory are still not functioning, even though Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) has been revitalized. The non-functioning Planetarium is a complaint from cultural arts activists.

Iwan admitted, Jakpro still needs to ensure that the new facilities purchased and used in the Planetarium are of good quality. In particular, the projector at the Bintang Theater is a tool for simulating celestial bodies.

"Indeed, we are communicating the camera technology with the vendor. Because the product was several years ago. You have to be careful because it's a sensitive item," Iwan told reporters, Wednesday, March 15.

Actually, Jakpro has paid installments to repair a number of facilities at the Planetarium. One of them is the audience seats and carpets in the Bintang Theatre.

However, the new seats were deemed unsuitable for indoor performances. However, Iwan sees no problem with the improvements that have been made by Jakpro.

"Right, we repaired the planetarium, we updated the carpet, we also replaced the new chairs. So, the feel of the heritage building is really made modern," he said.

Meanwhile, Iwan doesn't know when Jakpro will be able to finish making comprehensive repairs to the facilities at the Planetarium.

"The point is now we are communicating with specialist vendors to ensure that this tool can operate perfectly. Technology has an age. We make sure people don't use it when it's damaged, so we ensure performance," explained Iwan.

The fact was revealed that currently most of the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory (POJ) facilities are not functioning after the revitalization of TIM which disbursed a budget of IDR 1.4 trillion.

In the complaint letter to the governor's advisory board in the field of arts and culture which is part of the Jakarta Academy, it was stated that the condition of the POJ after the revitalization of TIM by BUMD PT Jakarta Propertindo actually reduced the function of the Planetarium.

One of them is the condition of the facilities at the Bintang Theatre. During the revitalization of TIM, Jakpro replaced new chairs which were not even suitable for performances. Then, the projector at the Bintang Theater that was damaged was also not repaired.

Then, the Planetarium exhibition room is currently empty. The Planetarium's visitor lobby is getting cramped. The second performance room, classroom, and library inside the Planetarium were removed.

Apart from that, repairs to the area supporting the Planetarium actually destroyed the function of the observatory. For example, the observatory for the Takahashi telescope was destroyed and the dome is not clear where it was, and the observatory access for the ASKO telescope was walled off.