Ahok Talks About the Current Lapangan Banteng in His Vlog

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok visited Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta after previously tried the newly-built Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train on July 6.

While strolling through the city’s historical park, he said that the design is really terrific post the revitalization project that he used to initiate during his term as the governor. He also conveyed his compliment to the architect, Yori Antar.

“Now we won’t be embarrassed when foreign tourists visit Jakarta, they can go hanging out since the area feels safe. [The site] used to be scary, [people] fear if things will happen,” said Ahok through his video blog (vlog) posted on his YouTube account named Panggil Saya BTP, Wednesday, July 10.

He recalled that before the makeover, the square looked like a slum. The West Irian Liberation Monument that was centered in the middle of the park was also out of sight, hidden among high buildings in the area. While in fact, the monument represents the country’s independence.

“The spirit to preserve Indonesia must be alive, you cannot take even an inch of the land from us,” he asserted.

The revitalization project of Lapangan Banteng had been planned since 2016 when Ahok served as the capital governor, yet the construction was started in November 2017. After the renovation, the park was inaugurated and reopened on July 2018 by the current Governor Anies Baswedan.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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