Historic building razed<\/p>\n
From Tempo magazine<\/p>\n
I hail from Tegal regency in Central Java. Although I have
\nstudied and worked in places outside of my birthplace, I am proud
\nof my hometown, especially the development of community
\nawareness. Tegal was the first place to declare war against
\ncollusion, corruption and nepotism in a concrete way. The people
\nmoved to reject a corrupt formal leadership.<\/p>\n
Besides, Tegal is replete with history, both its history of
\nheroism and the history of the region itself. Tegal regent
\nAdipati Martoloyo was one of the people entrusted by Sultan Agung
\nto attack Batavia. Anton Lukas and Audrey Kahin said the city
\nplayed an important role in the Indonesian revolution.<\/p>\n
In Slawi, the main city of Tegal regency, there are many
\nancient buildings from Dutch colonial times. Slawi was a city
\nthat grew due to the cultuurstelsel (compulsory planting system).
\nThere was the office of a Dutch sugar factory that was once the
\ncommand headquarters of the Fourth Infantry Brigade of Slawi.
\nLater the building was on loan to be used as the Tegal regent's
\noffice. During the war of independence the building was made into
\nthe headquarters of Dutch troops and numerous of our fighters
\nwere tortured and died there. Gen. Ahmad Yani once used this
\nbuilding as the headquarters of the Banteng Raiders.<\/p>\n
On March 21, I was shocked to find that the building had been
\nrazed to the ground. I wonder who had the heart to do it. It is
\nclear that he certainly does not know history and the
\nsignificance of a building (not its physical aspects) for the
\npersonality of a city and its inhabitants.<\/p>\n
I do not know to whom to complain. It is surprising that the
\nmembers of the Tegal regency House of Representatives or other
\nprominent figures did not utter a sound. What I fear is that next
\ntime I go to Tegal, the city will be no different from other
\ncities. Barren with no meaning.<\/p>\n
I hope to hear an explanation on the matter by the
\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
NONO KUSNAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/historic-building-razed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }