Andre Vitchek
Worldpress.org contributing editor
July 26, 2007
Today, high-rises dot the skyline, hundreds of thousands of vehicles belch fumes on congested traffic arteries and super-malls have become the cultural centers of gravity in Jakarta , the fourth largest city in the world. In between towering super-structures, humble kampongs house the majority of the city dwellers, who often have no access to basic sanitation, running water or waste management.
Pada saat ini, gedung pencakar langit, jalanan macet dipadati oleh ratusan ribu kendaraan, dan mal2 raksasa telah menjadi pusat kebudayaan Jakarta, yg notabene merupakan kota terbesar ke-4 di dunia. Terjepit diantara gedung tinggi, terhampar perkampungan dimana bermukim sebagian besar penduduk Jakarta yg tdk memiliki akses sanitasi dasar, air bersih atau pengelolaan limbah.
While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.
Disaat hampir semua kota-kota utama lain di Asia Tenggara menginvestasikan dana besar-besaran utk transportasi publik, taman kota, taman bermain, trotoar besar; dan lembaga kebudayaan spt museum, gedung konser, dan pusat pameran; Jakarta tumbuh secara BRUTAL dgn berpihak hanya pada PEMILIK MODAL dan TIDAK PEDULI akan nasib mayoritas penduduknya yg MISKIN.
Most Jakartans have never left Indonesia , so they cannot compare their capital with Kuala Lumpur or Singapore ; with Hanoi or Bangkok . Comparative statistics and reports hardly make it into the local media. Despite the fact that the Indonesian capital is for many foreign visitors a 'hell on earth,' the local media describes Jakarta as "modern," "cosmopolitan, " and "a sprawling metropolis."
Kebanyakan penduduk Jakarta belum pernah pergi ke luar negeri, sehingga mereka tdk dpt membandingkan kota Jakarta dengan Kuala Lumpur,Singapura,Hanoi,atau Bangkok . Liputan dan statistik pembanding juga jarang ditampilkan oleh media massa setempat. Meskipun bagi para wisatawan asing Jakarta merupakan NERAKA DUNIA, media massa setempat menggambarkan Jakarta sebagai kota "modern", "kosmopolitan" , dan "metropolis" .
Newcomers are often puzzled by Jakarta 's lack of public amenities. Bangkok , not exactly known as a user-friendly city, still has several beautiful parks. Even cash-strapped Port Moresby , capital of Papua New Guinea , boasts wide promenades, playgrounds, long stretches of beach and sea walks. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur compete with each other in building wide sidewalks, green areas as well as cultural establishments. Manila , another city without a glowing reputation for its public amenities, has succeeded in constructing an impressive sea promenade dotted with countless cafes and entertainment venues while preserving its World Heri tage Site at In tramuros. Hanoi repaved its wide sidewalks and turned a park around Huan-Kiem Lake into an open-air sculpture museum.
Para pendatang/wisatawan seringkali terheran-heran dengan kondisi Jakarta yg tdk memiliki taman rekreasi publik. Bangkok, yg tdk dikenal sbg kota yg ramah publik, masih memiliki beberapa taman yg menawan. Bahkan, Port Moresby, ibukota Papua Nugini yg miskin, terkenal akan taman bermain yg besar, pantai dan jalan setapak di pinggir laut yg indah.Singapura & Kuala Lumpur bersaing membangun trotoar lebar,area hijau,juga tempat2 kebudayaan. Manila,kota lain yg tdk terkenal oleh kalangan umum,telah sukses mengkrontruksi sebuah area dgn pemandangan laut yg berisi cafe & pusat hiburan yg tak terhitung jumlahnya. Hanoi memperlebar trotoarnya dan mengubah sebuah taman di sekitar Huan-Kiem menjadi sebuah Museaum terbuka
But in Jakarta , there is a fee for everything. Many green spaces have been converted to golf courses for the exclusive use of the rich. The approximately one square kilometer of Monas seems to be the only real public area in a city of more than 10 million. Despite being a maritime city, Jakarta has been separated from the sea, with the only focal point being Ancol, with a tiny, mostly decrepit walkway along the dirty beach dotted with private businesses.
Tapi di Jakarta,perlu biaya untuk segala sesuatu. Banyak lahan hijau diubah menjadi lapangan golf demi kepentingan orang kaya. Kawasan Monas seluas kurang lebih 1 km persegi bisa jadi merupakan satu-satunya kawasan publik di kota berpenduduk lebih dari 10 juta ini. Meskipun menyandang predikat kota maritim, Jakarta telah terpisah dari laut dgn Ancol; dgn pantainya yg kecil,kotor,yg terjepit oleh bisnis2/peruasahaan2 pribadi.
Even to take a walk in Ancol, a family of four has to spend approximately $4.50 (40,000 Indonesian Rupiahs) in entrance fees, something unthinkable anywhere else in the world. The few tiny public parks which survived privatization are in desperate condition and mostly unsafe to use.
Bahkan kalau mau jalan-jalan ke Ancol, satu keluarga dengan 4 orang anggota keluarga harus mengeluarkan uang Rp 40.000 untuk tiket masuk; satu hal yg tak masuk akal di belahan lain dunia. Beberapa taman publik kecil kondisinya menyedihkan dan tidak aman.
There are no sidewalks in the entire city, if one applies international standards to the word "sidewalk." Almost anywhere in the world (with the striking exception of some cities in the United State , like Houston and Los Angeles ) the cities themselves belong to pedestrians. Cars are increasingly discouraged from travelling in the city centres. Wide sidewalks are understood to be the most ecological, healthy and efficient forms of short-distance public transportation in areas with high concentrations of people.
Sama sekali tdk ditemui tempat pejalan kaki di seluruh penjuru kota (tempat pejalan kaki yg dimaksud adalah sesuai dgn standar "internasional" ). Nyaris seluruh kota-kota di dunia (kecuali beberapa kota di AS, seperti Houston dan LA) ramah terhadap pejalan kaki. Mobil seringkali tdk diperkenankan berkeliaran di pusat kota . Trotoar yg lebar merupakan sarana transportasi publik jarak pendek yg paling efisien, sehat, dan ramah lingkungan di daerah yg padat penduduk.
In Jakarta , there are hardly any benches for people to sit and relax, and no free drinking water fountains or public toilets. It is these small, but important, 'details' that are symbols of urban life anywhere else in the world.
Di Jakarta, nyaris tdk dijumpai bangku utk duduk dan rileks, tdk ada keran air minum gratis atau toilet umum. Ini memang remeh, tp sangat penting, merupakan suatu detil yg menjadi simbol kehidupan perkotaan di bagian lain dunia.
Most world cities, including those in the region, want to be visited and remembered for their culture. Singapore is managing to change its 'shop-till-you- drop' image to that of the centre of Southeast Asian arts. The monumental Esplanade Theatre has reshaped the skyline, offering first-rate international concerts in classical music, opera, ballet, and also featuring performances from some of the leading contemporary artists from the region. Many performances are subsidized and are either free or cheap, relative to the high incomes in the city-state.
Sebagian besar kota-kota dunia, ingin dikunjungi dan dikenang akan kebudayaannya. Singapura sedang berupaya mengubah citra kota belanjanya menjadi jantung kesenian Asia Tenggara. Esplanade Theatre yg monumental telah mengubah wajah kota Singapura, dimana ia menawarkan konser musik klasik, balet, dan opera internasional kelas satu, disamping pertunjukan artis kontemporer kawasan. Banyak pertunjukan yg disubsidi dan seringkali gratis atau murah, bila dibandingkan dgn pendapatan warga kota yg relatif tinggi.
Kuala Lumpur spent $100 million on its philharmonic concert hall, which is located right under the Petronas Towers , among the tallest buildings in the world. This impressive and prestigious concert hall hosts local orches tr a companies as well top internationalperformers. The city is currently spending further millions to refurbish its museums and galleries, from the National Museum to the National Art Gallery .
Kuala Lumpur menghabiskan $100 juta utk membangun balai konser philharmonic yg terletak persis di bawah Petronas Tower, salah satu gedung tertinggi di dunia. Balai konser prestisius dan impresif ini mempertunjukkan grup orkestra lokal dan internasional. Kuala Lumpur juga sedang menginvestasikan beberapa juta dolar utk memugar museum dan galeri, dari Museum Nasional hingga Galeri Seni Nasional.
Hanoi is proud of its culture and arts, which are promoted as its major at tr action millions of visitors flock into the city to visit countless galleries stocked with canvases, which can be easily described as some of the best in Southeast Asia . Its beautifully restored Opera House regularly offers Western and Asian music treats.
Hanoi bangga akan budaya dan seninya, yg dipromosikan guna menarik jutaan turis utk mengunjungi galeri-galeri lukisan yg tak terhitung jumlahnya, dimana lukisan2 tersebut merupakan salah satu yg terbaik di Asia Tenggara. Gedung Operanya yg dipugar secara reguler mempertunjukkan pagelaran musik Asia dan Barat.
Bangkok's colossal temples and palaces coexist with ex tr emely cosmopolitan fare international theater and film festivals, countless performances, jazz clubs with local and foreign artists on the bill, as well as authentic culinary delights from all corners of the world. When it comes to music, live performances and nightlife, there is no city in Southeast Asia as vibrant as Manila .
Candi-candi dan istana kolosal di Bangkok eksis berdampingan dengan teater dan festival film internasional, klub jazz yg tak terhitung jumlahnya, dan juga pilihan kuliner otentik dari segala penjuru dunia. Kalau bicara musik dan kehidupan malam, tak ada kota di Asia Tenggara yang semeriah Manila .
Now back to Jakarta . Those who have ever visited the city's 'public libraries' or National Archives building will know the difference. No wonder; in Indonesia education, culture and arts are not considered to be 'profitable' (with the exception of pop music), and are therefore made absolutely irrelevant. The country spends the third lowest amount in the world on education (according to The Economist, only1.2 percent of its GDP) after Equatorial Guinea and Ecuador (there the situation is now rapidly improving with the new progressive government).
Nah, sekarang balik ke Jakarta. Siapapun yg pernah berkunjung ke "perpustakaan umum" atau gedung Arsip Nasional pasti tahu bedanya. Tak heran, dlm pendidikan Indonesia, budaya dan seni tdk dianggap "menguntungkan" (kecuali musik pop), sehingga menjadi tdk relevan. Indonesia merupakan negara dgn ANGGARAN PENDIDIKAN TERENDAH nomor 3 di dunia (menurut The Economist, hanya 1,2% dari PDB) setelah Guyana Khatulistiwa dan Ekuador (di kedua negara tersebut keadaan sekarang berkembang cepat berkat pemerintahan baru yang progresif)
Museums in Jakarta are in appalling condition, offering absolutely no important international exhibitions. They look like they fell on the city from a different era and no wonder the Dutch built almost all of them. Not only are their collections poorly kept, but they lack elements of modernity there are no elegant cafes, museum shops, bookstores or even public archives. It appears that the individuals running them are without vision and creativity. However, even if they did have inspired ideas, there would be no funding to carry them out.
Museum2 di Jakarta berada dalam kondisi memprihatinkan, sama sekali tidak menawarkan eksibisi internasional. Museum tersebut terlihat spt berasal dari zaman baheula dan tak heran kalau Belanda yg membangun kesemuanya. Tdk hny koleksinya yg tak terawat, tp jg ketiadaan unsur2 modern spt kafe, toko cinderamata, toko buku atau perpustakaan publik. Kelihatannya manajemen museum tdk pny visi atau kreativitas. Bahkan, meskipun mereka pny visi atau kreativitas, pasti akan terkendala dgn ketiadaan dana.
It seems that Jakarta has no city planners, only private developers that have no respect for the majority of its inhabitants who are poor (the great majority, no matter what the understated and manipulated government statistics say). The city abandoned itself to the private sector, which now controls almost everything, from residential housing to what were once public areas.
Sepertinya Jakarta tdk pny perencana kota, hanya ada pengembang swasta yg tdk pny respek atau kepedulian akan mayoritas penduduk yg miskin (mayoritas besar, tak peduli apa yg dikatakan oleh data statistik yg seringkali DIMANIPULIR pemerintah). Kota Jakarta praktis menyerahkan dirinya ke sektor swasta, yg kini nyaris mengendalikan semua hal, mulai dari perumahan hingga ke area publik.
While Singapore decades ago, and Kuala Lumpur recently, managed to fully eradicate poor, unsanitary and depressing kampongs from their urban areas, Jakarta is unable or unwilling to offer its citizens subsidized, affordable housing equipped with running water, electricity, a sewage system, wastewater tr eatment facilities, playgrounds, parks, sidewalks and a mass public transportation system.
Sedangkan beberapa dekade yang lalu di Singapura, dan baru-baru ini di Kualalumpur, mereka berhasil menghilangkan total perkampungan kumuh dari wilayah kota. Namun Jakarta tdk mampu atau tdk mau memberikan warganya perumahan bersubsidi dgn harga terjangkau yg dilengkapi dgn air ledeng, listrik, sistem pembuangan limbah, taman bermain, trotoar dan sistem transportasi massal.
Rich Singapore aside, Kuala Lumpur with only 2 million inhabitants boasts one metroline (Putra Line), one monorail, several efficient Star LRT lines, suburban tr ain links and high-speed rail system connecting the city with its new capital Putrajaya. The "Rapid" system counts on hundreds of modern, clean and air-conditioned buses. Transit is subsidized; a bus ticket on "Rapid" costs only $.60 (2 Malaysian Ringgits) for unlimited day use on the same line. Heavily discounted daily and monthly passes are also available.
Selain Singapura, Kualalumpur dengan berpenduduk hanya 2 juta jiwa memiliki satu jalur Metro (Putra Line), satu monorail, beberapa jalur LRT Star yg efisien, dan jaringan kereta api kecepatan tinggi yg menghubungkan kota dgn ibu kota baru Putrajaya. Sistem "RApid" memiliki ratusan bus modern, bersih, dan ber-AC. Tarifnya disubsidi, tiket bus Rapid hanya sekitar 2 Ringgit (kuranglebih Rp 4600) utk penggunaan tak terbatas sepanjang hari di jalur yg sama. Tiket abonemen bulanan dan harian yg sangat murah juga tersedia.
Bangkok contracted German firm Siemens to build two long "Sky Train" lines and one me tr o line. It is also utilizing its river and channels as both public transportation and as a tourist attraction. Despite this enormous progress, the Bangkok city administration claims that it is building an additional 50 miles (80 kilometers) of tracks for these systems in order to convince citizens to leave their cars at home and use public transportation. Polluting pre-historic buses are being banned from Hanoi , Singapore , Kuala Lumpur and gradually from Bangkok .. Jakarta , thanks to corruption and phlegmatic officials, is in its own league even in this field.
Bangkok menunjuk kontraktor Siemens dari Jerman utk membangun 2 jalur panjang "Sky Train" dan 1 jalur metro. Bangkok juga memanfaatkan sungai dan kanal sbg transportasi publik dan objek wisata. Pemerintahan kota Bangkok jg mengklaim bahwa mereka sedang membangun jalur tambahan sepanjang 80 km utk sistem tersebut guna meyakinkan penduduk utk meninggalkan mobil mereka di rumah dan memanfaatkan transportasi umum. Bus2 kuno yg berpolusi sudah sepenuhnya dilarang beroperasi di Hanoi , Singapura, Kualalumpur, dan Bangkok . Jakarta ? Berkat korupsi dan pejabat pemerintahan yg tak kompeten, Jakarta tenggelam dlm kondisi yg berkebalikan dengan kota-kota tersebut.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in its reports covering quality of life, places Jakarta repeatedly on the level of poor African and South Asian cities, below metropolises like Nairobi and Medellin .
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, dlm laporannya tentang kualitas hidup, menempatkan Jakarta di posisi setara dengan kota-kota miskin di Afrika dan Asia Selatan, bahkan di bawah kota Nairobi dan Medellin!!
Considering that it is in the league with some of the poorest capitals of the world, Jakarta is not cheap. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2006 Survey, Jakarta ranked as the 48th most expensive city in the world for expatriate employees, well above Berlin (72nd), Melbourne (74th) and Washington D.C. (83rd). And if it is expensive for expa tr iates, how is it for local people with a GDP per capita below $1,000?
Walaupun Jakarta menjadi salah satu ibukota terburuk di dunia, hidup disana TIDAK murah.Menurut Survey Mercer Human Resource Consulting tahun 2006, Jakarta menduduki peringkat 48 kota termahal di dunia utk ekspatriat, jauh di atas Berlin (peringkat 72), Melbourne (74) dan Washington DC (83). Nah, kalau utk ekspatriat saja mahal, apalagi buat penduduk lokal yg pendapatan perkapita DIBAWAH $1000??
Curiously, Jakartans are silent. They have become inured to appalling air quality just as they have gotten used to the sight of children begging, even selling themselves at the major intersections; to entire communities living under elevated highways and in slums on the shores of canals turned into toxic waste dumps; to the hours-long commutes; to floods and rats.
Anehnya, orang Jakarta diam seribu bahasa. Mereka pasrah akan kualitas udara yg jelek, terbiasa dgn pemandangan pengemis di perempatan jalan, dgn kampung kumuh di bawah jalan layang dan di pinggir sungai yg kotor dan penuh limbah beracun, dgn kemacetan berjam-jam, dgn banjir dan tikus2.
But if there is to be any hope, the truth has to eventually be told, and the sooner the better. Only a realistic and brutal diagnosis can lead to treatment and a cure. As painful as the truth can be, it is always better than self-deceptions and lies. Jakarta has fallen decades behind capitals in the neighbouring countries in aesthetics, housing, urban planning, standard of living, quality of life, health, education, culture, transportation, food quality and hygiene. It has to swallow its pride and learn from Kuala Lumpur , Singapore , Brisbane and even in some instances from its poorer neighbours like Port Moresby , Manila and Hanoi .
Kalau saja ada sedikit harapan, kebenaran pasti akan terucap, dan semakin cepat semakin baik. Hanya diagnosis kejam dan realistis yg bisa mengarah pada obat. Betapapun pahitnya kebenaran, tetap saja lebih baik ketimbang dusta dan penipuan. Jakarta telah tertinggal jauh di belakang ibukota lain negara tetangga dalam hal estetika, pemukiman, kebudayaan, transportasi, dan kualitas dan higienis makanan. Sekarang Jakarta telah kehilangan kebanggaan dan hrs belajar dari Kualalumpur, Singapura, Brisbane, dan bhkn dlm beberapa hal dari tetangganya yg lebih miskin seperti Port Moresby, Manila, dan Hanoi.
Comparative statistics have to be transparent and widely available. Citizens have to learn how to ask questions again, and how to demand answers and accountability. Only if they understand to what depths their city has sunk can there be any hope of change. "We have to watch out," said a concerned Malaysian filmmaker during New Year's Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur . " Malaysia suddenly has too many problems. If we are not careful, Kuala Lumpur could end up in 20 or 30 years like Jakarta !"
Data statistik harus transparan dan tersedia luas. Warga harus belajar bertanya dan bagaimana utk memperoleh jawaban dan akuntabilitas. Hanya kalau mereka memahami seberapa dalamnya kota mereka telah terperosok, maka barulah ada harapan. "Kita harus berhati-hati" kata produser film Malaysia dalam perayaan tahun baru di Kualalumpur. " Malaysia punya banyak masalah. Kalau kita tidak hati-hati, dalam 20-30 tahun Kualalumpur akan bernasib sama seperti Jakarta !"
Could this statement be reversed? Can Jakarta find the strength and solidarity to mobilize in time catch up with Kuala Lumpur ? Can decency overcome greed? Can corruption be eradicated and replaced by creativity? Can private villas shrink in size and green spaces, public housing, playgrounds, libraries, schools and hospitals expand?
Dapatkah pernyataan ini dibalik? Mampukah Jakarta menemukan kekuatan dan solidaritas utk mobilisasi sehingga dpt menyaingi Kualalumpur? Mampukah kecukupan mengatasi keserakahan? Dapatkah korupsi diberantas dan diganti dgn kreatifitas? Akankah ukuran vila pribadi mengecil; dan kawasan hijau, perumahan publik, taman bermain, perpustakaan, sekolah dan rumah sakit berkembang pesat?
An outsider like me can observe, tell the story and ask questions. Only the people of Jakarta can offer the answers and solutions.
Orang luar seperti saya hanya dpt mengamati, bercerita, dan bertanya. Dan hanya masyarakat Jakarta yg punya jawaban dan solusinya.
Share This Thread