Betawi leaders call for new cultural village<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Senior figures of Jakarta's native Betawi ethnic
\ngroup called on the city administration on Tuesday to soon
\nrealize a plan to develop a 5.4-hectare Betawi settlement area in
\nSitu Babakan, Srengseng Sawah subdistrict, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Amarullah Asbah, Muhammad Fauzie Syuaib and Yoyo Muchtar,
\nthree senior members who were present at a workshop on the
\nsettlement of Betawi culture in South Jakarta, said the plan was
\nrepeatedly submitted to the city administration but there had
\nbeen no response.<\/p>\n
Amarullah, a member of the executive board of the Betawi
\nConsultative Body, said a Betawi ethnic settlement would
\nhighlight the original inhabitants of multiracial Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Governor Sutiyoso has given his approval. We are now waiting
\nfor his decree so that we can start the project,\" he said on the
\nsidelines of the workshop.<\/p>\n
Amarullah, also a city councilor from the ruling Golkar Party,
\nsaid the form of the settlement area had not been determined yet.
\n\"But it for sure wouldn't exploit the Betawi for tourism.\"<\/p>\n
He said the promised gubernatorial decree should regulate the
\narchitecture of all buildings within the 5.4-hectare plot to
\nfollow Betawi style.<\/p>\n
\"However, it doesn't mean that the area will be closed to
\npeople from other ethnic groups. All community members will only
\nneed to support the Betawi's way of life,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fauzie Syuaib said the prospective Betawi settlement should
\ncopy the development plan of the Ubud area in Bali, which is
\nfamous for Balinese art and culture.<\/p>\n
\"Tourists who stay in Ubud can experience the everyday life of
\nthe Balinese. The future Betawi settlement should follow the
\nexample that it is not merely a site of 'cultural performance,'
\nbut that it also accommodates the community's way of life,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the city administration should prioritize the
\nestablishment of a unique Betawi community before thinking about
\nthe landscape of the settlement.<\/p>\n
\"We should think about bringing a whole Betawi village to the
\nsettlement area to establish the real Betawi community life
\nthere,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yoyo said the idea to develop a Betawi settlement dated back
\nto Governor Ali Sadikin, who served the city from 1966 to 1977.
\nAli, known for his interest in the city's historical sites, had
\nrecommended the Condet area in East Jakarta as a pilot project
\nfor the Betawi settlement.<\/p>\n
\"However, the Condet project failed as it could not maintain
\nthe authenticity of a Betawi community,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yoyo, also an official at the Betawi Culture Institution, said
\na team under the coordination of the city's culture agency chose
\nthe Situ Babakan area in South Jakarta as the settlement site.<\/p>\n
\"Situ Babakan is considered the most suitable place. Not only
\nbecause of its green environment and abundance of Betawi people
\nliving there, but also because it is the home for the traditional
\nBetawi performing art groups,\" he said. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/betawi-leaders-call-for-new-cultural-village-1447893297",
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