| Selamat Datang Monument | |
| Native Name: | Indonesian: Monumen Selamat Datang |
| Building Type: | Statue |
| Location: | Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Coordinates: | -6.195°N 106.823°W |
| Inauguration Date: | 17 August 1961 |
| Operator: | Government of Jakarta |
| Height: | 10 m |
The Selamat Datang Monument, also known as Monumen Bundaran HI or Monumen Bunderan HI, is a monument located in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, located at the centre of the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia roundabout. Completed in 1962 by sculptor Edhi Sunarso, the Selamat Datang Monument is one of the historic landmarks of Jakarta.[1]
During the 1960s, President Sukarno ordered several constructions and city beautification projects in preparation for the Asian Games IV. These activities included the construction of the Ikada Sport Complex (in what is now Gelora Bung Karno Sport Complex) and several statues, including the Selamat Datang Monument, designated as Tugu Selamat Datang.
The design of the statue was sketched by Henk Ngantung, at that time the vice governor of Jakarta. The sculpting of the statue was done by sculptor Edhi Sunarso., a close advisor to Sukarno on fine arts matters, was the coordinator of the project. The statue depicts two bronze statues of a man and a woman, waving in a welcoming gesture. The woman holds a flower bouquet in her left hand. The design evokes similarity with the style of Soviet sculptor Vera Mukhina and was heavy with socialist realism. Sukarno was said to have contributed to the design of the statue. Henk Ngantung wrote that initially the Welcome Monument was to be named "Indonesian people greet their future".
The two figures of the Welcome Monument are five metres from head to toe, or seven metres from the tip of the raised arm to toe. The two figures stand atop a pedestal. In total, the monument is about thirty meters above the ground. The Selamat Datang Monument symbolizes the openness of the Indonesian nation to visitors to the Asian Games IV.
The construction of the statue was started on 17 August 1961. During the construction of the statue, Edhi Sunarso was visited by Sukarno, US Ambassador to Indonesia Howard P. Jones, and other ministers in his studio.[2]
In October 2022, the Jakarta Government began a revitalization project for the Bundaran HI Astra (Transjakarta), which made the bus stop have two floors that resemble a cruise ship, with a curved platform and a facade pattern inspired by batik. The new artistic design was created by Kuncara Wicaksana. The building has toilets, prayer rooms, commercial and passenger waiting areas, and an observation deck overlooking the Welcome Monument on the south side on the second floor.[3]
The Selamat Datang Monument is located at the centre of a roundabout known as Bundaran Hotel Indonesia or Bundaran HI (Indonesian for "Hotel Indonesia Roundabout"), named because of its proximity to Hotel Indonesia. Another accepted spelling is Bunderan HI, which is closer to the Javanese and Betawi languages native to Jakarta. The roundabout is strategically located in the heart of Jakarta, right in the centre of Jakarta's main avenue, Jalan M.H. Thamrin, on its intersection with Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jalan Sutan Syahrir and Jalan Kebon Kacang. At its completion, Hotel Indonesia and its roundabout are the gateway for visitors to Jakarta. The roundabout features a round pond with fountains.
In 2002, Bundaran Hotel Indonesia was restored by PT Jaya Konstruksi Manggala Pratama. The restoration introduced new fountains, a new pool design, and new lighting. Today, after the Reformation Era (Reformasi), the paved plaza surrounding the pond has become a popular spot for civic demonstrations. Every Sunday morning during Jakarta's Car-Free Days, the roundabout is filled with people doing jogging, bicycling, and street photography, as well as temporary street vendors.