Sam Poo Kong temple to become Central Java provincial icon

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

As Semarang celebrates the 600th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese explorer Zheng He in the city, Central Java Governor Mardiyanto has promised to make Zheng He's legacy, the Sam Poo Kong temple, the province's icon.

"The Sam Poo Kong temple will not only be a place of worship, but also a tourist attraction," the governor said.

The renovation of the Sam Poo Kong temple in Gedung Batu, Simongan, here, is not altogether finished. Several buildings, such as the inn in the Western part of the complex are yet to be restored, though the eastern gateway, the Zheng He Cave, the main temple building and the tomb of Admiral Zheng He's fleet helmsman named Wang Jin Hong -- locally known as Kiai Juru Mudi Dampo Awang -- have been completed.

Sam Poo Kong is purportedly the area where Zheng He's massive fleet landed in 1413 on the banks of an estuary of Garang river, which was 50 meters deep and 1,000 m wide at that time.

Zheng He resided in Semarang for a year. His helmsman Wang Jin Hong, alias Ong King Hong, alias Dampo Awang, lived and later died in Simongan.

Governor Mardiyanto said Zheng He's mission had not only been one of friendship, peace or trade. He had also disseminated advanced scientific knowledge during his time in Semarang.

"Ultimately, Sam Poo Kong is not only the pride of a certain group of people but also people of diverse backgrounds as a whole. Zheng He, who facilitated cultural exchanges, also forged interreligious harmony," said Mardiyanto.

Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China's Vice Ambassador to Indonesia Yu Hong Yao emphasized that Zheng He's exploration was a mission of peace and not aggression, let alone colonization.

"We can maintain the friendly mission, especially the ties between Indonesia and China, which are now improving considerably," he said.

The Sam Poo Kong temple was bustling with around 2,000 visitors on Wednesday alone. Heavy rain from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon had not discouraged people from visiting the biggest temple in Southeast Asia.

Hundreds of people, mostly Chinese Indonesians, took turns entering the Zheng He Cave at Gedung Batu, located right behind the main temple. In the cave stands a statue of Admiral Zheng He, which was brought in from China long ago.

Around 2,000 lanterns, suspended by cables, decorate the temple compound. The heavy rain has not damaged the cloth lanterns, which were imported from China.

Lecturer at the Semarang State University Conny Handayani said she was of the view that the Sam Poo Kong temple, which had for centuries displayed a blend of Chinese and Javanese features, should be promoted for tourism purposes.