Cirebon neglects its historic buildings

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.