Experts back anniversary date change

Experts support the idea of changing the date of Jakarta's anniversary, saying that such efforts should be conducted carefully and thoroughly.

Noted author on Jakarta's history Adolf Heuken said on Friday that the June 22 date was still a controversy.

"I agree with those suggesting that the date of the city's anniversary be changed. We can't just determine the date of a city's anniversary based on legend. It must be based on fact," he said.

He added that a change should only be made after authentic documents were found that confirm another date as the city's anniversary.

Previously, prominent Betawi (native Jakartan) observer Ridwan Saidi said that the date of Jakarta's anniversary, June 22 -- which has been celebrated as the anniversary since 1958 -- should be changed. Jakarta celebrated its 477th anniversary on Tuesday.

He said that on that date in the early 16th century, Fatahillah, also known as Faletehan, was instructed by the king of Cirebon to invade Jakarta, then known as Jayakarta. During the attack, Fatahillah destroyed buildings and homes belonging to the Betawi people.

Budi Lim, an observer on historical buildings in Jakarta, supported Heuken's opinion, saying that it was important to discuss the true history of the capital so that the public would have accurate knowledge about the past.

"History can be revised anytime there is new data about what happened in the past. However, I don't agree if a history book is written based on facts concocted for political interests," he said. -- JP