New Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi did not wait long before making some bold moves to get his portfolio into shape. Just days after his inauguration, Freddy harshly criticized the operator of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and removed the head of Kota Station in Jakarta after he inspected the two transportation hubs.
"It's such a pity. We're not a poor country and we have many smart people, so why is it that Soekarno-Hatta's Terminal I is such a mess?" he told the press on Tuesday after conducting an impromptu inspection of the Tangerang airport.
"Next time, the toilet facilities must be better and cleaner because they will give foreigners a bad first impression of the country. If the toilets are dirty, outsiders will think this nation is unclean," Freddy told Antara state news agency.
Your comments:
Soekarno-Hatta Airport is a mess, and not only Terminal I, Terminal II also needs to be fixed, especially the toilets. Since there's now a usable Terminal III, I think they should close down the first two terminals and totally refurbish them so we can call Soekarno-Hatta an international airport once more. Go Pak Freddy!
Yenny Vandalita
Bogor, West Java
This is very enlightening news that could have been done much earlier, but better late than never, I guess. Remember when tourists (domestic and foreign) arrive in Jakarta it is their very first impression, after a long, tiresome flight, and they look first for: Toilets, Transport (Taxis) and Tips (info). So let us make them feel safe and at home
D. Iskandar
Jakarta
An encouraging start from the new Minister. I totally share his remarks about Soekarno-Hatta and especially about the toilets.
How is it that the toilets have remained in such an appalling condition for so long? Time for a radical overhaul of terminal management. But having started with the toilets, it is to be hoped the minister will move on to some of the bigger and more serious issues in the aviation industry.
Like publicly releasing the report on the cause of the Mandala air disaster in Medan a few years ago, then moving on to averting further disasters, by dealing with the worst of the substandard airport runways throughout Indonesia. I wish the minister well in his large and challenging portfolio.
Nairdah
Sydney
Soekarno-Hatta Airport is a mess. The immigration officers at the arrival hall, customs inspectors and security officers at the departure hall are always waiting for the smallest excuse to "help you", if you are ready to "help them" with a bribe.
That reflects a worse "personality of the nation" to foreigners than the unclean toilets, and the scattered cigarette butts in the corridors.
I salute the new Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi for realizing some of the problems at the airport and taking steps to improve the situation.
Mohammad
Dubai
Thumbs up for the new transport minister. This guy knows Indonesia needs to clean up the visual environment so others can enjoy its beauty. It is not just about cleaning up the toilets at the airport or cleaning up the Transjakarta buses, either. The national airline Garuda should not be intimidated by spreading its wings to the world as a safe, profitable airline to travel with.
Jakarta needs to introduce an improved, cleaner and more reliable public transportation system, such as the long-overdue monorail and proposed MRT, to be enjoyed by both tourists and locals. This will help eliminate the hellish traffic in and around Jakarta. How about a speed train service from downtown Jakarta to the airport?
Educating the population to taking safe, clean, modern public transportation is not an indication of being poor or lowering one's status, but instead helping the environment, for cleaner air quality. Action speaks louder than words ... Since the minister said Indonesia is not a poor country, let's see if there will be any improvement with this new administration.
A.K.
Los Angeles, CA
Please Minister, do something then, for the sake of our country.
Karim Sie
Spain
Absolutely right! And how about those pushy freelance taxi drivers and the thugs looking to "help" with the baggage in the parking lot.
John Byrne
London
Minister Freddy Numberi, this is a concrete move, for a minister to implement something which affects most of our daily lives. As most of us agree, the ideals are out there but just need implementation.
Previously, there was a similar article about toilet cleanliness here and it drew comments from concerned readers, which shows that it matters to us.
I hope your criticism will be followed up by all of us, to maintain the cleanliness of transportation hubs; otherwise it is only words, not action. Maybe a movement should be started. Bravo Minister, for concerning yourself with such details!
Harry Cahyadi Hartanto
Jakarta
