Cirebon neglects its historic buildings
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java
A city that fails to conserve its historic buildings is a city without a memory, so says Eko Budihardjo, a noted architect and the rector of Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java.
This statement fits Cirebon, a small town of 37.35 square kilometers in the northern coastal area of West Java.
Cirebon, which is about 210 km to the east of Jakarta, can in fact boast of at least 52 historic buildings classified as heritage landmarks. They are the legacy of either the Islamic Kasepuhan Sultanate or the Dutch Indies colonial ruler. Unfortunately, these buildings are in a state of neglect.
The Jakarta Post contacted several relevant parties in this regard and were told that the poor conservation of these buildings was mainly due to the absence of funds from the Cirebon municipality administration.
Another reason was that the local administration does not have the legal means to protect historic buildings.
The municipality's legislative council has taken into serious consideration the absence of a clear policy in dealing with the town's historic buildings.
"It turns out that the administration has no clear or firm policies regarding the conservation of historic buildings. I'm afraid they will become just a memory as we make way for other interests, such as for business purposes," said Soenaryo HW, the deputy speaker of the council.
Cirebon Mayor Lasmana Suriatmaja said that Cirebon had yet to be equipped with a strong legal instrument for this purpose.
He also said that the only legal protection the town administration could exercise was the Cirebon mayor's decree, No. 19/2001, enacted on May 29, 2001, on the protection and conservation of heritage landmarks and buildings.
This decree, which lists 52 historic buildings under its protection, divides the buildings into three categories based on the level of priority for conservation.
Despite the decision to protect historic buildings in Java, Mayor Lasmana said that it had no binding effect as there were no penalties for those who commit violations.
As a result, the decision has often been ignored and the removal of heritage landmarks continues in Cirebon. One example was the plan for the sale of Kesambi penitentiary, which the Dutch Indies colonial administration built circa 1910.
The threat of neglect posed to these historic buildings has also gained the attention of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The director of the center for strategic studies and regional development (PKP), Ahmad Subchan, said that over the past five years, he had witnessed four historic buildings demolished to make way for a shopping complex.
The buildings include those that were formerly used by the military command on Jl. Siliwangi, which is now the Supermarket Yogya, the BRI building on Jl. Kartini, the former military police buildings, now the site of the Asia supermarket and the Gunung Sari city terminal complex, which is now the Grage Mall supermarket.
"These buildings were built between 1910 and the 1920s. They have been demolished and replaced by supermarkets, which was done only in the interest of business," Alwy said.
To prevent more historic buildings in Cirebon municipality from vanishing, the local legislative council has proposed that the administration enforce laws that carry hefty penalties.
Meanwhile, legislator Enang Iman Gana said despite Law No. 5/1992 on the protection of historic landmarks, the Cirebon municipality must have special regulations for these heritage sites.
"A stronger regional regulation must be drafted and carry clear and stiff punishment. Unless strong regulations are immediately drawn up, I fear the historic buildings around Cirebon will really be gone. We will immediately draft a regional bill," said Enang.
"In fact, historic landmarks can be maintained as tourist attractions and contribute to the coffers of the municipality administration and the people of Cirebon."
The 52 historical buildings protected on the basis of the Cirebon mayor's 2002 decree
Category A requires very strict protection for: (1) Cirebon municipality hall, (2) Former Cirebon residency building, (3) Attached open veranda of the Cirebon regency, (4) Bank Indonesia building, (5) Former State Commercial Bank, (6) Former naval base of the Indonesian Military, (7) Al-Athyah Mosque/Abang Mosque (Merah Mosque), (8) Grand Mosque of Ciptarasa Keraton Kasepuhan, (9) Baitul Karim Mosque, (10) Temple of Talang, (11) Temple of Winaon, (12) Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, (13) Salvation Army Church, (14) St Joseph's Church, (15) Kejaksan railway station, (16) Parujakan railway station, (17) PT BAT company building, (18) Parujakan textile mill, (19) Saripetojo ice factory, (20) Lawanggada ice factory, (21) PDAM Water Tower, (22) Ade Irma Suryani Nasution tourist resort, (23) Gunung Jati General Hospital, (24) Pulasaren state elementary school, (25) PT. VTP Yuda Githa Tama building, (26) Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) 1946 building, (27) Ex Bank Ekspor Impor warehouse, (28) Customs and Excise warehouse, (29) Warehouse complex on Jl. Benteng, (30) Trade route of Sunan Kalijaga, (31) Grave of Syekh Maulana Maghribi, (32) Grave of Wiracula (Sam Cay Kong).
Category B requires strict protection for: (1) PT Tjipta Niaga building, (2) DPC Gapensi building, (3) PT Avon building, (4) Former Grand Hotel, (5) Post office building, (6) State Junior High School No. 4, (7) State Junior High School No. 15, (8) State Junior High School No. 16, (9) School of Nursing and College of Nursing complex, (10) PT VTP Banda Ghana Reksa building, (11) Warehouse complex on Jl. Kesunean, (12) Warehouse complex on Jl. Sisingamangaraja, (13) Grave of Syekh Lemah Abang Dan Ki Datuk.
Category C requires fairly strict protection for: (1) Water Tower on Jl. Tuparev, (2) At-Taqwa Grand Mosque, (3) Gajah Hotel, (4) Kebon Baru state elementary school building, (5) State Junior High School No. 1, (6) Independence Monument, (7) Kesambi penitentiary complex.