Ujungpandang reverts to Makassar

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): After struggling for 28 years, residents of the South Sulawesi capital of Ujungpandang can now once again proudly call themselves Makassarese.

The official reversion in the name to Makassar was stipulated in Government Decree No. 86/1999, officiated by President B.J. Habibie last Wednesday.

"The renaming of Makassar is a victory for history and common sense," cultural expert Husni Djamaluddin said here on Tuesday.

Historians, cultural experts and members of the South Sulawesi community have campaigned for the name change back to Makassar since it was renamed in 1971, when the size of the city was expanded from 21 square kilometers to 127 square kilometers.

On Aug. 31, 1971, Makassar became Ujungpandang because of the extension of the area, including the three regencies of Maros, Pangkajene Kepulauan and Gowa. Historical records show Makassar was the capital of Sulawesi before its division into four provinces.

The late Makassar mayor H.M. Daeng Patompo was reportedly forced to accept the city's new name in exchange for incorporation of more areas into the city's jurisdiction.

In 1640, before the Dutch colonial era, Makassar was the capital of twin kingdom of Gowa-Tallo, dubbed the most influential domain in eastern Indonesia.

Joop Ave, during his term as minister of tourism in the early 1990s, also voiced support for reversion to the name Makassar. "Europeans do not recognize Ujungpandang on the world map," Joop said.

Residents of South Sulawesi were overjoyed by the decision.

"I always say 'I want to go to Makassar' and never mention 'Ujungpandang'... this is a big change that we've been waiting for. Makassar has a long, great history that we are all proud of," Pajarang Dg Rani, a resident of Gowa regency, said.

Habibie is known by locals as popular leader born in the town of Parepare, 230 kilometers north of Makassar. The province has been his traditional political stronghold ever since.(30/edt)