TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The construction of Jakarta Administration's 'bicycle monument' in the city’s downtown area of Sudirman, Central Jakarta, was met with criticism after politician Ferdinand Hutahaean took to Twitter to complain that the project is “useless and has no philosophical foundation.”

He argued that it would be wiser for Jakarta to construct a monument that is “related to Jakarta’s culture and history.”

However, Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria assured that the Rp800 million project is funded by a third party.

“The budget is from the obligation of the private sector. From a third party,” said the Deputy Governor at Jakarta City Hall on April 8.

The monument itself takes the form of a giant bicycle wheel and is included in the city’s project of building 11 dedicated bike lanes across the city which in total spends up to Rp28 billion. Riza explained that the construction of the monument is one of the government's support for bicycle users as Jakarta is promoting the use of the environmentally-friendly transportation.

He also defended that the bicycle monument gives room for artists to be creative and innovate. “This is a good thing and we intend to improve the visual attributes of the Capital City,” said Ahmad Riza Patria.

Read: Permanent Bike Lanes Project Delayed due to Change of Transjakarta Lanes

ADAM PRIREZA