Old archives building to be restored

JAKARTA (JP): Work officially began Saturday to restore the decaying National Archives Building, a rare 18th century structure on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta.

A ceremony including the cutting of rice cones, signifying good luck, was held at the building to mark the start of the Rp 6 billion (US$2.3 million) project.

The Committee for National Archive Building Restoration hoped the project would be completed by the time Indonesia marks its 53rd independence anniversary on Aug. 17, 1998.

There were three yellow rice cones. The honor to cut them went to committee chairwoman Pia Alisjahbana, counselor for cultural and press affairs at the Dutch embassy Geeskelien Wolters, and James Oey, representing the contractors carrying out the project.

The money for the project came from Stichting Cadeau Indonesia (the Indonesian Gift Foundation) grouping Dutch individuals who got together in 1995 to present a gift for Indonesia's 50th independence anniversary.

The foundation decided on the renovation project and launched a campaign four years ago to raise the necessary money. It enlisted 60 Dutch firms, including major companies like Phillips, KLM, Dutch Telecom, ABN MR Bank, Unilever, Shell, Stork, Dutch Electric Company, Heineken and Akzo.

Two Dutch contractors, Decorient and Ballast, have been appointed to carry out the project.

Foundation vice chairman Erik Hammerstein said the National Archives Building was not only a rare 18th century structure, it was also rich in history.

The building could explain about life in 18th century Jakarta and also about the history of the Dutch East Indies Trading Company (VOC).

He said: "It's strictly not political. It's not only the Dutch past, it's also the Indonesians' past.

"Many old buildings in Jakarta are going to be pulled down, but we hope that we can preserve this one."

Wolters said the Dutch embassy morally supported the project.

The project would tighten the cultural bond between the two nations, she added.

Due to the building's deteriorating condition, the archives were moved to Jl. Ampera Kemang, South Jakarta, three years ago.

The building was built in 1760 by Reiner de Klerk, a Dutch trader and member of the VOC council who later became governor general of the Dutch Indies in 1777-1780.

In 1844, the building was used for an orphanage, and sold to the Dutch Indies government at the end of the century.

For the next 25 years it served as the office of the Department of Mining, and after that, it was used as the Landsarchief (National Archives). The building retained its function, but under the Indonesian name Arsip Nasional, after Indonesia declared its independence in August 1945.

Han Awal, an architect hired by the committee for the project, said the two-story main building would be returned to its 1760 look as far as possible.

Awal said the condition of the building had been affected by age and poor maintenance. (04)