TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
High noon for National Monument buggies
Public resistance is mounting over the plan to relocate the traditional horse-drawn carriages (delman) from the National Monument, Central Jakarta, to Ragunan zoo, South Jakarta
Change Size
P
ublic resistance is mounting over the plan to relocate the traditional horse-drawn carriages (delman) from the National Monument, Central Jakarta, to Ragunan zoo, South Jakarta.
The Betawi Association for the Protection of Horse-drawn Carriages (PPDB) secretary-general Iswandi said last week that some 50 carriage drivers in Monas refused to be relocated as ordered by the city administration as of Oct. 29.
"We will keep on operating our delman around the National Monument on this weekend despite any possible risk that may come along," Iswadi told The Jakarta Post.
Iswadi added the buggy drivers said the city should stop its plan.
"As our next step on this, we are planning to organize a protest in front of the governor's office next Wednesday," he said.
In 2007, the city said that delman were temporarily banned from operating in park due to renovation.
The ban was extended without consultation in the last two years, followed by restrictions. Then the relocation was justified by the problem of horse manure.
Jakarta Animal and Aid Network (JAAN) research and program officer Benvika said that PPDB and JAAN have been working together to propose alternatives.
"We even offered free facilities, such as a horse shelter, to eliminate the cleanliness problem. But this restriction shows the city has rejected our idea," he said.
Sarmili, 60, has been operating his delman since 1972. The resident of Kemanggisan, told the Post that he strongly refused to be relocated.
"This delman is a symbol of Jakarta. Somehow, we have to keep it running around Monas," said Sarmili.
A resident of Rawamangun, East Jakarta, Muri, 42, said that Betawi delman could attract visitors.
"I think the government could take over to manage the delman in the park. So, we could enjoy clean and attractive delman here," said Muri, a frequent Monas visitor.
Ayung, 36, a delman driver based in Ragunan zoo, said, "the relocation would increase local competition, therefore we disagree with the idea."
In Ragunan zoo, around 26 delman horse-carriages split into two groups, already operate in two shifts.
