The Bekasi Regency Department of Culture, Youth and Sports\n(Disbudpora) continues to strengthen its efforts to preserve regional\nhistory by promoting a number of historic sites and buildings to be\ndesignated as cultural heritage. The move is a reflection of the local\ngovernment\u2019s commitment to safeguarding the historical trace and local\nidentity of Bekasi Regency so it does not disappear amid rapid\nindustrial development and steady growth of modern housing in various\nareas.<\/p>\n
\u201cCultural heritage is not merely an old building; it is evidence of\nthe community\u2019s historical journey in Bekasi and must be protected\ntogether. If we do not designate and safeguard it now, the value of\nthese histories could be lost as time goes on,\u201d said Roro Rizpika, head\nof the Culture Section at Disbudpora Kabupaten Bekasi, in a statement on\nFriday (6\/3).<\/p>\n
Roro explained that this year five objects are being processed for\nupgrading to cultural-heritage status after undergoing inventory and\ninitial data collection by the Disbudpora team. The five objects are:\nCerobong Asap Kedungwaringin (Kedungwaringin Smoke Stack), Tugu Bambu\nWarung Bongkok, Rumah Etnis Cina Karangbahagia (Karangbahagia Chinese\nEthnic House), Rumah Camat Pebayuran (Pebayuran Sub-district Headman\u2019s\nHouse), and Asrama Pondok Pesantren Albaqiyatussholihat, which are\ndeemed to have significant historical value for the development of\nBekasi Regency\u2019s community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese objects are being studied more deeply with an expert team to\nensure their suitability. If they meet all criteria, we will raise their\nstatus to cultural heritage so they enjoy stronger legal protection,\u201d he\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
According to him, each object bears different historical value,\nranging from the development of social life to governance history, and\ntraces of economic and cultural activity in Bekasi Regency in the past.\nTherefore, the designation process is conducted carefully to ensure the\nobjects truly hold important value for the region\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cultural Heritage Analysis Team (TACB) along with our team\nvisits the sites to perform analysis, from tracing historical value and\nauthenticity of the buildings to assessing their suitability for\ndesignation as cultural heritage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Having Historical Value<\/p>\n
He added that the process of inventorying historic objects is not\nonly conducted through internal government research but also involves\ncommunity participation, as residents frequently report old buildings or\nsites believed to have historical value in their neighbourhoods. \u201cMuch\nof the information also comes from citizens who know about old buildings\nor historic sites in their area. We follow up with on-site verification\nto confirm their condition and historical value,\u201d Roro explained.<\/p>\n
He also stated that to date the Bekasi Regency government has\ndesignated nine objects as cultural heritage across several areas,\nincluding Kedunggede Station, Lemahabang Station, Al-Mujahidin Mosque,\nCibarusah; Simpangan 01 Elementary School, Cikarang Utara; the Former\nPebayuran Landlord\u2019s House; Juang Building, Tambun Selatan; Setia Darma\n01 Elementary School, Tambun Selatan; the Former Kawedanan Office in\nCikarang, which now serves as the Regional Public Library; and Saung\nRanggon in Cikarang Barat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, there are currently 34 objects suspected to be cultural\nheritage that have already received decisions and are under supervision\nand further study by the local government,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that an object can be categorised as a cultural\nheritage if it has significant historical value and is at least 50 years\nold, though the main criterion remains its historical value and its\nconnection to the journey of the Bekasi people.<\/p>\n
\u201cCultural heritage must be cared for and preserved, not merely seen\nas old buildings. This is where the region\u2019s identity is formed and can\nbecome a vehicle for teaching history to future generations,\u201d he\nconcluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bekasi-regencys-disbudpora-processes-five-objects-to-be-designated-as-cultural-heritage-1772968269", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }