Gedong Bondholoemakso: A historical building in 'limbo'

Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Jawa

It is an old, historic building, built upon the order of the King of Surakarta, Sultan Pakoe Boewono X, in 1917. Unlike other old buildings in town, which are mostly in a pathetic condition, it looks amazingly good. The white, flamboyant edifice with thick walls is neat and grandiose indeed.

Several colored lights decorate the front part of the Dutch- designed house, emphasizing the beauty of the structure. On the left-hand side is a spacious garage that can accommodate two large cars, while on the right side is a large swimming pool where the tenants can go for sporting activity.

They may also relax on the spacious terrace at the rearmost part of the 1,300-square-meter compound.

The house is up for sale. The owner, a contractor who lives in Jakarta, is asking for billions of rupiah. Anyone who can afford it may buy the building.

What happens if the building is then demolished?

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that a new owner would preserve the antique architectural treasure, despite the historic fact that the building was the starting place of Indonesia's banking industry.

The building, known as Kantor Bondoloemakso, was owned by a Keraton (palace) enterprise (BUMK). According to the Javanese dictionary, the word Bondoloemakso is derived from the words bondo (wealth) and loemakso (something that is circulated).

Kantor Bondoloemakso served as a place where people kept their money or borrowed money. Employees of the Keraton administration also received their salary at the office.

Some characteristics of a bank are still in evidence in the building, as there is a safety deposit box where the money used to be kept.

Head of the administration of Keraton Surakarta Dipokusumo said that the kingdom enjoyed its prosperity during the era of Pakoe Boewono X. It inspired the king to build the office as the center of economic activities in the area of Surakarta -- also known as Solo -- and its surroundings.

"An important official during the time was KGPH Joyokusumo. He was a well-known economist. Unfortunately, when he died, there was no one as good as he," he said,

Curator of Radyapustaka Museum Mufti Raharjo, who is also a reliable source of history in Surakarta, said that as a center of the administration, Surakarta was at that time like Jakarta is today.

"Rich royal family members often used the bank, either for individual or business activity among themselves. Unfortunately, because the building is located outside the Keraton compound, there is no record about who managed the office," he said.

The limited records about the activities of the office reveal how Pakoe Boewono X at that time had already got the idea of banking, said Raharjo, a graduate of English literature at Surakarta-based Sebelas Maret University. But he admitted that the Dutch colonial government also played a significant role in the decision to build the office.

"And here it is: The first bank office situated in Java, in Surakarta, to be precise. So, we can say that Kantor Bondoloemakso is a silent eyewitness to the nation's earliest banking activities, during the Dutch colonial era," said the father of two.

Other sources said that development of the office was in accordance with the development of Keraton Surakarta, whose golden era gradually faded.

After KGPH Joyokusumo passed away, the banking office became disused.

In 1947, the office, which was located in Baluwarti, Pasar Kliwon, became a military headquarters for Battalion IX, Brigade 24, Division 4 and Battalion IX, Bondoloekmaso Regiment III, which was led by Mayor Karto Yuwono, with Lt.Col. Gunardjo as the commander.

After the military strengthened its position, they moved the headquarters to the nearby town of Salatiga and after that Kantor Bondoloekmaso was abandoned.

Worse still, certain members of the Keraton family sold the building to the private sector.

In 1999, a businessman from Jakarta bought the house for Rp 1.3 billion and later sold it to a contractor, who also lives in Jakarta. The contractor is a relative of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.

A major renovation has made the building look very nice. But it is not nice at all to know that it is now on sale. As money matters, the ownership may be transferred to anyone who can afford it, with no consideration on commitment to preserve its historical value.

This raises concern that the silent eyewitness to the banking history in the country may be destroyed: Yet another tragedy regarding the fate of old, historic buildings in the country.