It Takes Swimming Skill to Qualify for this Job on Jakarta Street

The pool and fountains at the Hotel Indonesia Circle received regular maintenance on Friday, involving a sole worker who introduced himself only as Budi.

“My specialty is cleaning ceramic and hoses. The pool and fountains at the monument has to be cleaned periodically, otherwise the water will get dirty or the fountain will stop working," he said while cleaning hoses on the edge of the pool.

The city’s landmark on Jalan Thamrin was built after President Sukarno ordered a massive project to decorate the capital ahead of the 1962 Asian Games hosted by Indonesia. 

Legendary sculptor Edhi Sunarso was appointed by the president to build the monument, which features the statues of a man and a woman waving their hands in a welcome gesture.

It was restored in 2002 to introduce a new design of the fountains and the pool and to add lighting. Maintenance is carried out regularly to make sure the hoses are not jammed and surfaces are not covered by mosses. 

"People see that the pool and the fountains at this monument are always clean and beautiful – that’s because of my friends and me -- people who like to get wet. If the pool is dirty it will be unsightly," he said.

Budi, 38, has been in the job for three years. He was hired in part because of his swimming skill, which he earned from his earlier works at an oil refinery.

"In this job, I see no joy or sorrow. I only feel hot and cold," Budi said.