Litterbugs at Menteng Park keep workers busy all day

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 07/02/2009 1:14 PM  |  City

Two years after its inauguration in April 2007, Menteng Park in Central Jakarta, has become a favorite hangout place for residents in the neighborhood thanks to the futsal and basketball courts located in the park.

However, the park, formerly used as the base camp for city's soccer club, Persija, now faces a new headache: rubbish left by people spending time at the park.

Polystyrene containers, plastic bottles and cigarette butts are littered throughout the park, despite the many rubbish bins located in the park grounds.

The Jakarta Post spotted a visitor throwing away his cigarette butt on Tuesday even though a large rubbish bin was located just next to him.

"Sorry, it has become a habit to throw away my cigarette butts after smoking," said Aji, a college student.

One of seven security guards in the vicinity complained that many park goers threw away trash anywhere they liked.

"We can only remind them to put trash in nearby bins. We don't have the authority to impose any sanctions," he said.

Park supervisor, Achmad Agil, said that there were 13 workers cleaning the park everyday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

However, the security guards said that although the park was cleaned daily, rubbish was still found in the evening.

"People keep coming, bringing food and beverages and then they litter," he grumbled.

Agil said a garbage truck collected at least a ton of trash from the park everyday.

"We have more trash on weekends and holidays because of more visitors," he said.

A visitor, Amanda Gadisafitri, said that she preferred Menteng Park to the vast National Monument Park (Monas).

"I feel irritated with the trash here, but it is much cleaner here than at Monas," she said. (nia)

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