Preservationists to set up local heritage society

Preservationists to set up local heritage society

JAKARTA (JP): A group of Jakarta preservationists gathered on
Saturday to plan the establishment of an organization to preserve
the city's old buildings.

"The city, actually, has already had several organizations
dealing with this issue," said group leader Arya Abieta.

However, he added that none of the groups managed to survive
and play a significant role in preserving and protecting the
city's heritage.

The main objective of the planned organization, to be called
the Jakarta Heritage Watch, will be to involve all interested
parties, including students, scholars and city officials, in the
preservation of buildings, sites and other objects in Old
Jakarta, Arya said.

"We are trying to last as long as possible to save more old
buildings in the city," he added.

The group is seeking donations to finance the planned
organization's work.

Arya said the Australian Heritage Society once offered to fund
the preservation and protection of old buildings in Jakarta.
However, none of the existing preservationist groups responded to
the offer.

The capital, home to numerous old buildings constructed during
Dutch colonialism, has seen many of its historical buildings torn
down or fall into disrepair. This situation has been blamed on
various factors, including the prioritizing of business concerns
over the city's heritage and a lack of awareness among
authorities and residents.

A young preservationist, Ella Ubaidi, said: "The
administration seems to have an inadequate concept and vision to
manage and preserve the city's heritage."

The organization's first project will be to preserve an 86-
year-old building on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
The building was used as an immigration office before being
handed over to private construction company PT Mandala Kriya
Cipta earlier this year.

Arya said the group would promote efforts to return the
building to its original condition.

"We hope this will be our first conservation project," he
said.

Mandala Kriya Cipta left the building vacant earlier this year
with its doors and window frames missing and several sections of
the roof damaged.

The firm could face charges of violating city Bylaw No. 9/1999
on historical buildings and Law No. 2/1992 on protected buildings
for allowing the building to fall into disrepair.

A party found guilty of violating the 1999 bylaw faces a
maximum sentence of six months in jail and a fine of up to Rp 5
million (US$625). The 1992 law has a maximum sentence of 10 years
imprisonment and a Rp 100 million fine.

The planned organization will also be involved in activities
related to the preservation of the city's protected sites and
buildings.

"We will launch educational programs to raise residents'
awareness of the city's heritage," said Arya.

He also said the organization would map and categorize the
city's old buildings by age and the changes which have been made
to them.

"The map will enable us to focus so we can keep an eye on the
buildings more easily," said preservationist Grace Pamungkas.

Veteran preservationist Toenggoel P. Siagian said preserving
buildings was not an easy task.

"It's very expensive to maintain old buildings.

"That's why many people decide to sell their old properties to
developers; simply to earn a great sum of money," Siagian said.

He suggested the city administration provide incentives to
owners willing to preserve their old buildings. (05)