Monpera (Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat) is used to be one of local tourists’ destinations of Balikpapan; it was well managed, clean, and very attractive especially at evening, open for public with lots of food stall lining up along the beach shore, haven for drag queen and late night prostitution, plenty shows and fireworks were held here before; however, today, Monumen (as people in Balikpapan would refer it as) even though it still is considered as one of Balikpapan’ landmark, is no longer active, it is kind of dirty and abandoned, not really open for public, and just looking sad. The water fountain is no longer running, no food stalls available no more, no children laughter or family togetherness can longer be seen here as it was before which I have no idea why and it is such a shame.
Located in downtown, along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, right in front of the monument is the central office of the army station of Balikpapan. Although it is somewhat abandoned, you still go inside the monument area as there is always a pole or two of the gates that are opened illegally by people and the entrance gate even though most of the times is closed, pedestrians can still walk inside; you still can find the grand statue symbolizing the Indonesians in old days kicking the invaders (the Japanese and the Dutch).
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