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)