Foundation for conservation launched

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Revitalization (Lestari Foundation) was launched on Tuesday in an effort to increase public awareness and raise funding for the conservation of Indonesia's much neglected historical buildings.

Chairman Andy Siswanto said the foundation was established on April 29 with an aim of assisting the government protect and revitalize historical sites.

"Many technical substantive weaknesses and structural problems confront the conservation and revitalization effort, including a lack of public awareness, improper planning, design and engineering skills and financing," Andy said.

Minister of Public Works Rachmadi B. Sumadhijo, who sits on the foundation's supervisory board, noted that many buildings of historical significance were simply abandoned because the owner could not afford the high cost of revitalizing the site but could not demolish it because of a government regulation.

"The conservation and revitalization of historical buildings cannot guarantee a quick return on investment, therefore, developers prefer instead to build shopping complexes, buildings and hotels," Rachmadi said.

The Lestari Foundation, in cooperation with the government, will conduct a public campaign to increase public awareness of the importance of historical buildings.

The foundation is also developing a cooperation with various mayoralties.

"The regional administrations of Semarang, Central Java and Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi have expressed their intention to revitalize their historical sites," Rachmadi said.

He added that the foundation was striving to have developers and businessmen donate a portion of their revenue for conservation activities.

"The central government doesn't have sufficient funding to conduct the revitalization (by itself)," he added.

Rachmadi said that among the foundation's work, the initial focus would be on buildings and sites in the Kota area of Jakarta and the old part of Semarang in Central Java.

Interested parties seeking to be involved in the foundation's work can contact the secretariat at Jl. Hang Tuah IX/35, Jakarta.(02)