A hotel room for Bung Karno's spirit

A hotel room for Bung Karno's spirit

Wahyuni Kamah, Contributor, Sanur, Bali

Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, left behind many
memories during his early struggle against colonialism. Those
memories were left behind in Bung Karno's houses where he was
exiled to in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, Bengkulu, Bangka or in
Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung, West Java.

These places still depict the gloomy years in his fight for
the country's independence. However, there is one place which
still holds memories of him that may not be directly related to
his fight against colonialism.

In 1963, then president Sukarno pioneered the construction of
the first upper class hotel in Indonesia, which was funded by war
reparations from Japan. It is said that Sukarno chose the
location for the hotel. He selected a site at Sanur Beach as the
beach has a wonderful view. Construction was completed in 1966.
Indonesia's first 10-floor hotel, the Bali Beach Hotel, was
opened to the public. The hotel was a milestone for Indonesia
amid the chaotic political and economic climate of the time.
Although it was Sukarno's idea, he never stayed at the hotel nor
did he return to Bali. Due to the political turmoil, Sukarno
remained in Jakarta until he died on June 21, 1970.

The hotel was first renovated in 1985. On Jan. 20, 1993 a
terrible catastrophe horrified the 400 hotel guests. A fire
started on the ground floor and engulfed the entire hotel.
Fortunately, all the guests and hotel staff were able to escape
unharmed. No one was injured in the fire that turned Sanur's
skies dark. The fire gutted the highest building in Bali. Two
days later the smoke cleared and the building was cool enough to
allow workers to inspect the ruined building.

Nobody would have thought that a corner of the building would
be left untouched by the fire. But surprisingly, the workers
found one room in the same condition that it was before the fire
broke out. It was room 327 overlooking the sea.

Its door and walls were blackened by smoke, but the entire
room and balcony remained intact. No technical theory could
explain how the room escaped the flames. An offering was made to
the room and the room was closed.

It is believed that the mythical Queen of the South Seas likes
to have a room allocated for her, usually one that faces the
beachfront. Most hotels on beaches facing the South Seas comply
to her wishes by reserving a beachfront room for her. Such a room
existed in the Bali Beach Hotel, but it had not been clear which
one it was. On the advice of a psychic, a room was devoted to her
in a cottage by the beach after the renovation.

It took about 2,800 workers and craftsmen to restore the hotel
from March 1993 to October 1993. All the rooms were renovated
except for room 327. Following the completion of the renovation,
a ceremony was held on Oct. 4, 1993.

The undamaged carpeted room was left exactly as it was.

The twin beds, the radio, the rattan sofa, the lamp, the
cupboard, the table, the bottle of Aqua, the telephone and the
bathrobe in the bathroom are all the original contents of the
room 36 years ago.

Everyone who enters the room should first knock on the door as
if it were occupied.

"We have to ask for permission first," explained Wahmurni, the
hotel's manager who has worked there since 1965.

"Believe it or not, the psychics say that the queen wanted
Bung Karno to have a room in the hotel," she said.

Three times a day, an offering is made to the room. Snacks,
fruit, packs of cigarettes and cups of coffee are left for the
invisible special guest. The room is also cleaned every day.

Vases containing fresh or fake flowers are placed on the
table. A pair of white trousers, a jacket and a black rimless cap
lay on the bed, while a pair of black men's slippers are placed
on the carpet.

Wahmurni said these were duplicates of Bung Karno's
belongings, and his spirit is said to reside in the room. Two
cloths, one yellow and one white, are placed on a table that
receives various offerings from visitors.

A sarong and the clothes on the bed are gifts from past
visitors. On a special occasion, such as Indonesia's
Independence, some visitors will make offerings to the spirit of
Bung Karno like red and white tarts. There was also one offering
of a piece of paper with a message from Bung Karno. It was
written by someone who said he heard the whispers of the spirit
of Bung Karno.

Many believe it was more than magic that spared the room in
the biggest fire in Bali in 1993. Should the special guest really
be the spirit of Bung Karno, then his wish to stay in the hotel
room has come true.