Historian Slams Police Post Construction in Suropati Park
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19 July 2021 21:12 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Historian JJ Rizal criticized the construction of the second floor of the police post at the Suropati Park, Menteng, Central Jakarta. According to him, the existence of the police post had disregarded the mandate of Law Number 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Heritage.
“In terms of the historical landscape, as mandated by the Cultural Heritage Law, it's already odd that there is a police post in the park, let alone it has two floors,” said Rizal to Tempo via a text message on Sunday, July 18.
He responded to the statement by the Jakarta Restoration Team (TSP) Head Bambang Eryudhawan on his Facebook account. Bambang questioned the appropriateness of a police post in the Suropati Park and the building’s permit from the Jakarta TSP.
He also deemed it would set a bad precedent if the police post was left standing. Moreover, the park is the heart of the Menteng cultural heritage area.
“This is an example of vandalism against cultural heritage and disregard of the Cultural Heritage Law,” the historian argued.
Rizal suggested Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan speak to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran to relocate the police post. “So the image of Menteng as a cultural heritage area that is rich in history will not be damaged,” he concluded.
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