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)