Deputy Governor of Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria has proposed seven alternative locations for the Citayam Fashion Week (CFW) that would not adversely affect public transportation and facilities.
“It does not mean that conducting the fashion show is not allowed. We (the government) are discussing the (alternative) venue for the activity,” he said at Jakarta City Hall on Monday.
The Citayam Fashion Week is organized spontaneously by suburban youth from a number of regions in Jakarta (Sudirman area) and West Java province (Citayam, Bojonggede, and Depok areas).
It is usually held at a crosswalk near the Dukuh Atas Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station in Central Jakarta.
The seven alternative locations proposed by the deputy governor include the South Plaza of the National Monument (Monas), which is quite spacious and equipped with a spectator tribune.
The other alternatives comprise Lapangan Banteng Park, Ismail Marzuki Park (TIM), Senayan, Kemayoran, Sarinah Mall, and Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua).
Senayan and Kemayoran are also spacious, the deputy governor noted adding that his administration could seek the State Secretariat’s permission to use the locations.
“Sarinah Mall, which was built by Bung Karno, has been renovated, so it has become more attractive,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Kota Tua is currently being revitalized and its renovation is estimated to be completed in September 2022, he informed.
“I know that some of those (fashion show participants) who are present here (at Dukuh Atas MRT Station) were also the ones who were used to hanging out at Kota Tua. Later, they can come back there (Kota Tua),” Patria added.
He also asked the participants to find a more suitable time to conduct the fashion activity so that it does not disturb their learning since schools have already begun.
Earlier, a non-governmental organization (NGO), Jakarta Watch, had pointed out that the implementation of CFW on the sidewalks and crosswalk near the MRT station violated Law Number 22 of 2009 regarding Road Traffic and Transportation.
Hence, chairman of Jakarta Watch, Andy William Sinaga, said here on Saturday (July 23, 2022) that he supported the ban on the use of the two public facilities for the fashion activity.
The creative activity made it difficult for pedestrians and vehicle riders to cross the Tanjung Karang Street in Dukuh Atas area, even as the sidewalks and bicycle lanes were converted into illegal parking areas.
Source: Antara News