Governor turns down Candra Naya relocation
Governor turns down Candra Naya relocation
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City Governor Sutiyoso finally said no to the proposed relocation
of the Candra Naya Chinese Mansion on Jl. Gajah Mada in West
Jakarta to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta.
However, the governor's rejection may not immediately end
discussion over the building's fate, as the owner of the mansion
has yet to stop demolition plans, for what is believed to be the
oldest example of Chinese architecture in Jakarta.
Sutiyoso stressed that he did not need to issue a new decree
to prohibit the demolition as the old decree remains valid.
"If the gubernatorial decree is still valid why should I issue
a new one," the governor said on Monday.
Sutiyoso referred to gubernatorial decree No. 475/1993 to
indicate that Candra Naya is a cultural heritage building which
must be protected.
Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Community Group (PSMTI),
Teddy Jusuf, said in a seminar on Saturday, that Sutiyoso should
issue a new decree if he had finally decided against relocation
of the building.
The Modern Group -- owned by business tycoon Hartono Samadikun
-- bought the property in 1992 and is currently constructing a
hotel and a 30-floor apartment block at the location. The
construction is near completion and the Candra Naya mansion is
now surrounded by the brick walls of the hotel and the apartment
block.
Sutiyoso asserted that the demolition of the building would
never take place since the city administration would never issue
a permit to develop the area while the building was protected.
Decree No. 475/1993 is not the only ruling that protects
Jakarta's heritage. Other rulings include the Dutch's Monumenten
Ordonantie Stb. 238/1931, the Republic of Indonesia's Minister of
Education and Culture Edict No. 0128/M/1988 and Jakarta
Gubernatorial Decree No. Cb.11/1/12/1972 and No. 475/1993.
Heritage sites are further protected under Law No. 5/1992
concerning Items of Cultural Property and Government Regulation
No. 10/1993 on implementation of Law No. 5/1992.
Candra Naya was built at the end of the 18th century and
belonged to Khouw Tjeng Toan. According to historian Alwi Shahab,
Khouw was not only a Chinese mayor but was also famous and
wealthy.
A descendant of the Khouw family either sold or donated the
house to the Chinese social and educational organization, Sin
Ming Hui, which later became known as Candra Naya. The
organization later moved to Tarumanegara University and Sumber
Waras Hospital in West Jakarta where it is today.
Candra Naya housed the first competition of the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) as well as the first billiard and
weight-lifting competitions in Jakarta.