City Hall firm on plan to build Betawi kampongs
City Hall firm on plan to build Betawi kampongs
JAKARTA (JP): The municipality will continue its plan to
reconstruct Betawi (native Jakartan) kampongs to preserve Betawi
culture despite objections from a city councilor, an official
said over the weekend.
Deputy Governor of Social Welfare Djaelani told The Jakarta
Post over the weekend that the concept used in preserving Betawi
culture was based on a dynamic mobilization of human beings.
"We don't intend to fossilize them. We just want to build
several kampongs with the Betawi aura, where people can see how
Betawi people live their lives. That way, we hope the Betawi
culture will not die," Djaelani said.
Under the plan, a cultural hall and other buildings would be
built in Situ Babakan, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.
The plan, which will later make the kampongs as a tourism
attraction, was criticized by Soeparmo, head of Commission E for
social welfare.
"It's better for the municipality to build them a cultural
hall and convention center so they can meet and run special
events, but don't exile them to some kampongs.
"I think if the idea is materialized, it would be an insult,"
Soeparmo said.
He also talked about his experience when visiting Disneyland
in California.
"I saw a miniature Indian village that displayed red Indians
participating in unique activities, such as horse-riding, archery
and eating fresh meat.
"Such things are absurd and humiliating. That's why I object
to the idea of building Betawi kampongs. It would be a disgrace
to Betawi people."
However, Djaelani said the municipality was gathering ideas
for the formation of the Betawi kampongs.
"We will consider every opinion in this matter," he added.
Djaelani said the municipality was still reviewing the
proposal and would choose the best preservation concept based on
the interests of the Betawi people.
"Under the plan we'll revive the scene of Jakarta's kampongs
in the old days. I'm Betawi myself, so I support the plan to
preserve the culture 100 percent," he said.
The idea to preserve Betawi culture emerged after Governor
Sutiyoso's moving house ceremony, which was done in a Betawi
procession last week.
A spokeswoman for the Betawi Cultural Organization, which made
the proposal, Emma Agus Bisrie, said that after the ceremony last
week Situ Babakan was chosen as the area for Betawi culture's
conservation because it was considered an untouchable green area.
"We are planning to build Betawi kampongs with their artistic
houses and a culture hall as well," she said.
Emma said the municipality should back the entire plan. (07)