New scheme for Old Town

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 10/02/2007 3:46 PM | Opinion

Sept. 30, p. 1

The Old Town revitalization project is not just about improving the image of the city, but transforming it into a livable area with high historical respect.

The area is not only shaped with a group of old buildings and hundreds of years of history. It is also a home for residents, a business place for shop owners and a tourist destination.

Therefore, with no master plan prepared for the revitalization, I believe that even beautifying the area will eventually fail.

The Old Town needs rigorous urban planninga demand that sometimes cannot be fulfilled in non-historical cities. I personally believe that it should be protected due to its historical significance.

There should be a plan to state clearly what can and cannot be built there. It will be a joke if new businesses with ultra-modern architecture sit among classic buildings.

It will be more devastating if local residents cannot participate in the new economy. It is not enough just to prioritize the program. The city should know first what to do with its assets.

MARIA RENNY HERDANDI

Sydney, Australia

Ramadhan not about coercion

Sept. 26, p. 2

Beautiful article and a great reminder of how ignorant we are of our own religion and its limitations.

The Koran time and time again reminds us to practice self restraint. To overlook the faults of others. Not to use force to change the ways of people because it doesn't work.

And it tells us to look at our own faults and correct them before we correct the faults of others. Even the Prophet Muhammad (peace upon him) said he was not here to put the people's affairs in order, but rather to tell them.

Therefore, if they corrected themselves it was for their own benefit, and if they didn't, it was to their own destruction. Sadly, these days we Muslims are in self destruct mode and are blaming everyone else for our troubles instead of ourselves.

AHMED

Milwaukee, U.S

RI not ready for online ease

Sept. 27, p. 9

I certainly agree that the introduction of improved technology in the public sector would facilitate more transparency and abolish corruption.

It is the responsibility of the government to introduce such technology. And it is saddening to accept the fact that government employees refuse to use such technology, giving the excuse that they may lose their jobs.

However, in reality they are probably concerned about being cut off from bribery and corruption. I feel that such employees should be given appropriate sanctions and the technology should be introduced.

AVRIND

Bangalore, India

Garuda's Amsterdam plans

Sept. 27, p. 13

I hope Garuda Airlines is run like a business not subject to graft and corruption but subject to international safety inspections for the safety of people traveling back and forth to Indonesia.

EDEN HUTABARAT

Sun City, Arizona

Local govts, Newmont shares

Sept. 27, p. 13

State ownership of companies has made Indonesia a poor country. Corruption by local officials has ruined this good deal for the East Nusa Tenggara government.

Present day officials want money in their personal pockets. The end result - the poor lose out. Why not report what is really happening?

ROBERT BALDWIN

Jakarta

Stop indecent TV programs

Sept. 27, p. 9

We can be sure that the learned ulema will not be entirely united on what is and what is not indecent, so in the interest of harmony, why not close down all TV stations during Ramadhan?

Also consider taking all magazines off news stands and suspend the printing of all newspapers. Once the agents of intolerance have success, they never let up.

The greatest freedom is the freedom to choose. Long may it live. Let the ulema turn off their own TV sets and leave others to choose for themselves.

RICHARD E. HARTMAN

Bandung

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