Hindu Community in Jakarta Proposes Facility Improvements to Provincial Government
Jakarta — The Hindu community in Jakarta has proposed to the DKI Provincial Government that it expand dock facilities and repair cremation equipment to support the performance of religious ceremonies in the capital.
“We are not making demands, but you are our spiritual teacher, the government teacher, and we as the community living in Jakarta, whenever we perform ceremonies like this, Melasti and Ngaben ceremonies, we face difficulties with transportation to the sea,” said Made Sudarta, Chair of Suka Duka Hindu Dharma, during the Melasti Ceremony at Pure Segera temple in North Jakarta on Sunday.
He explained that the Hindu community in Jakarta has long experienced difficulties accessing the sea when performing Melasti and Ngaben ceremonies due to limited dock facilities. According to him, this condition has persisted for years, forcing the Hindu community to wait for tidal conditions before being able to sail.
“Because this has been going on for years. So when we go to sea, we have to wait for the tide master, so the water is not low, so the water is not high, so the boats that we sail out to the middle of the sea are safe,” he said.
In addition to the dock facilities, Hindu community representatives also raised the issue of the cremation machine at the Ngaben ceremony site, which is no longer functioning. “Next to us, in front of us, is the building where Ngaben ceremonies take place. Seven years ago, we were helped by Governor Pak Anies with a cremation machine. Now it no longer works,” he said.
He added that the Hindu community in Jakarta now has to conduct cremation processes elsewhere because the machine can no longer be used. “Whether the machine should be returned because it is a donation, or for whatever reason, it no longer works. So now we cremate next door, in Jaya Besar. We are fixing this with our own funds, with the Hindu community here in Greater Jakarta,” he said.
Responding to this, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said he would ask relevant agencies to review the condition of the cremation machine asset that was previously provided through donation. “For the one in front that no longer works for the crematorium, since this was a donation, I will ask the Head of the Asset Agency to examine it first,” Pramono said.
Pramono also stated that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is committed to maintaining safe and harmonious religious life in the capital. “Because I always say that as governor, I am the governor for all religions, all groups, all communities, and I am consistently implementing this,” he said.