Jakarta The City

Kwetiau A-Chai

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Pictures by Trisno Tohar

Another famous and favorite Chinese food in Jakarta is kwetiau. You can find kwetiau almost in any Chinese food restaurant in Jakarta. A friend of mine who is a Chinese food lover, Trisno Tohar, sent me an email about a small Chinese food restaurant in Daan Mogot Street, West Jakarta. The name is Kwetiau Sapi A-Chai.

Kwetiau is some kind of noodle. The differences is kwetiau made from rice powder and has a flat shape. Like noodles, we can cook kwetiau in many way and recipes. The owner, Mr. Achai, opened this restaurant 15 years ago with the same specialty and recipes.

As a restaurant which specialty in kwetiau, this restaurant has a main menu by kwetiau, of course, but we can also find other food based on noodles and bihun. This restaurant has many variant recipes of kwetiau, noodle, or bihun but with the same topping which is beef. Fried, thin sauce, yam sauce, or else depends on your choice. The price is only Rp. 17,500 per portion for one person.

It's open before lunch time till almost midnite. Located in Daan Mogot Street No. 69D. It's only 1 km from Ciputra Mall, Grogol, West Jakarta. It has a branch in Citra Garden 2 Complex, block h2/12A, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, phone: 021-6198611.

The Sacred "Si Jagur" Canon

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +0000

The most famous collection item in Fatahillah Museum in Old Town area, Jakarta, is probably “Si Jagur” canon. We can say “Si Jagur” is the icon of Fatahillah Museum. If we cross the yard in Fatahillah Museum we can see this canon standing stoutly in front of The Hermes God Statue. It used to be located on the front yard of Fatahillah Museum, but then moved into the inside yard to avoid mutilation.

This 16th century Portuguese canon has made by MT Bocarro at Macao and appointed to strengthened Portuguese fortress in Malaka. When Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) from Netherland took over Malaka in 1641, the canon was moved to Batavia.

“Si Jagur” canon made from iron with 3.5 tons weight and 3.84 meters long. The canon mouth diameter is 39 cm inside and 50 cm outside with 158 cm circle. It has a serial number 27012 on its body. On its back we can see a Latin words say: EX ME IPSA RENATA SUM, From My Own Self I Reborn. It was said that this canon was made from 16 little canons. Maybe it is the meaning of those Latin words.

The Myth of “Si Jagur”

For many people, this canon has a sacred reputation. Its reputation comes from the 41 cm long and 60 cm circle fist shape on the rear of it. The thumb appears from the fist, penetrated between the index finger and the middle finger. This kind of fist is believed as a vulgar position, and then become a fertility symbol. The size and muscular look of this canon makes people believe that this is a ‘male’ canon. There are many people, especially women, who visit Fatahillah Museum with only one purpose which is to touch the canon and hoping to have a baby very soon. Many people also believe that the Latin words on its body have a fertility meaning too.

There is a myth said that, as a ‘male’ canon, “Si Jagur” has a ‘bride’, a ‘female’ canon called Setomi which is properly kept in Keraton Surakarta (Surakarta/Solo Palace), Central Java. Many people believe that these two cannons must be not meet each other. If they do it is a doomsday.

Years ago, there were some local legislative members of Banten province came to Jakarta to borrow “Si Jagur” to put it side by side with “Ki Amuk” canon in Banten Museum, Karangantu Banten. They believe the meeting of these two canons will bring prosperity to the Banten people.

The Hermes God Statue on Harmoni Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Photography by Trisno Tohar

If you are crossing Harmoni intersection, Central Jakarta, you can find an interesting antique statue stand on the Harmoni Bridge, between Veteran Street and Juanda Street. This bronze statue has known as The Hermes God Statue. This statue has a shaped as a firm man, its head wearing a winged helmet with eyes looks up to its right hand that pointed the sky. The left hand holding a winged staff that rolled by 2 snakes. Its right leg folded, while the left leg stand on a ball. It looks like squaring off to fly to the blue sky.

This statue describes The Hermes God in Greek myths. It is also known as Mercurius in Roman myths. Hermes or Mercurius has deemed as a trader’s guardian angel. It might be the purposes to put that statue on this bridge. To guard and protect traders who cross Harmoni Bridge.

It’s almost no one knows about this statue’s history, even the History & Museums Department from Jakarta Administration doesn’t have much information about this statue.

There is one story that is most acceptable about this statue’s history. R Ko King Tjoen, a dermatologist and speleologist, claimed that he knows about the statue’s history in Kompas.com.

He has a good relationship with Prof. Dr. Ernst Stolz, dermatologist from Rotterdam, Netherland. Ernst was born in Mataram Street, Jakarta. Ernst claimed that the statue has been owned by his grandfather once, Karl Wilhelm Stolz (born on January 28, 1869 in German) came to Batavia as a trader. Karl was in-service in Banjarmasin and Sibolga, and then moved to Batavia. On June 9, 1897, he married a Switzerland lady, Matilda Jenny, in Buitenzorg (Bogor now).

In 1900, Karl got a Netherland citizenship and opened a store on Rijswijksestraat (Veteran Street now) no. 28. The store was called Jenny & Co., specialist in metal items and glassware from Geislingen. The store was growing fast, so Karl opened branches in Semarang and Surabaya.

The Hermes God Statue was one of the merchandise in that store. According to Prof. Stolz’s father (died in 1989 in Den Haag, Netherland), the statue was bought by his grandfather from Hamburg around 1920. Cause his grandfather loved this statue, he put it in his garden, in Meester Cornelis (Jatinegara now). But his religious wife didn’t like the naked statue. For her the statue was too vulgar.

She always asked her husband to put away the statue. When the wife died in 1930 in Den Haag, Karl decided to sell his business and store. Karl Stolz died in March 30, 1945, as a Japan’s war prisoner and buried at Semarang. Before selling his store at Veteran Street, he rendered the statue to Batavia Government as thankfulness for a chance to running a business in Batavia

In August 1999, this antique statue was missing from its place, Jakarta citizens was shocked. It became headlines in newspapers for a while. But then Jakarta government made a statement that the Hermes statue was moved to Fatahillah Museum to protect it from stealing and mutilation. So the Hermes Statue that we see on Harmoni Bridge today is a duplicate. We can find the original statue on backyard of Fatahillah Museum, old town, West Jakarta.

Source: Kompas.com

Komodo Island for New 7 Wonders of Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:00:00 +0000

If you care and love your country, so you have to vote for Komodo Island. It's only take a couple of minutes of your time. Just click the banner in sidebar.

I vote, do you?

Lets Go Clubbing Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Tomorrow is still holiday. So I guess tonight is the best time for clubbing, right? Well, before you decided your club destination to clubbing with your friends and other clubbers, you might better to check the schedules. Go on, don't be shy! just click the Read more... button!

"Rhythmize"
@ Pure Dine and Drinks (Imperium Building 35th Floor, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 1 Kuningan); 5 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- MALIKI (JUICE)
- ADITH (1945 MF)
- OKI KORO (DIGITAL 6)
- ICAL (BASEMENT HOUSE)
- BIMA ISMAN (EARS PRODUCTION)
- OCHOE (DIGITAL 6)
- MC DRWE (1945 MF / PARONOIA)
- VJ MADMOTION

"The Sunday Times"
@ Dragonfly (Graha BIP, Jl. Gatot Subroto no. 23); 9 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- HERU & ODEQ (360 ent)
- DHARMA & NYEMEE (Echosystem)

"So Nice"
@ Tipsy Wine Lounge (The Beat Building, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 29); 10 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- Awal-dMuzT-TongdjiE-MboNk-obet (V-Night)
- iWabE (V-Night|evilant|niTe bytE)
- OnO (eViLenT|niTe bytE)
- Nirej (AzkaLix)
- SEXYDANCER
- Mc:Derr

"Long Weekend Promo"
@ Segarra Seaside Lounge and Restaurant (Jl. Lodan Timur no. 7 Carnaval Beach, Ancol Bay City Jakarta); 12 PM - 5 AM
For further information just call: 021-70296290 / info@segarrajakarta.com

"I Love Sunday"
@ Urban Lounge (FX Lifestyle X-Enter, Ground Floor, Unit FB 12, Jl. Jend. Sudirman - Gate One Senayan, Central Jakarta); 5 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- RICKY CHATTAWAY / RED SQUARE kuala lumpur
- BOEDY & RAMA / 999RECORDS
- iNCREDOUBLE a.k.a andry & radith / 999RECORDS
- DNA (deefo,nickboy,asking) / RUMUS
- IVAN D / FFUNK
- RENDY / FFUNK
- TROY / EL'CHRONIC
- ARYO / FOREST AVE.
- MC by GOEH / 999 feat. UCHA / FFUNK

"Super X2 Bar Sale"
@ X2 (Plaza Senayan, 4th Floor, Senayan Square Complex, Jl. Asia Afrika no. 8); 9 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- ND WHITE - BEST RESIDENT (PARANOIA AWARDS 2008)
- CELLO - BEST RESIDENT (FREE MAGAZINE BEST OF 2008)

"Double ID"
@ Blowfish Kitchen and Bar (City Plaza at WISMA MULIA, Jl Jend Gatot Subroto Kav 42); 9 PM - 5 AM
Performers:
- Purple
- Lola Alicia
- Dee

Happy clubbing, clubbers...! :-)

Sweet Girls Exhibition at National Galery

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:23:00 +0000

CP Foundation held a single painting exhibition of Qi Zhilong (47), at National Galerry, Jakarta, March 3-13, 2009. Those paintings show Chinese girl's sweet faces, some of them wearing Mao Tse Tung style uniform. Some of them look more casual and modern. Why are these paintings so special?

This ”Back to Sense Perception After Political Pop” theme exhibition shows 14 paintings, made in middle of 90's to 2000's. Technically, Qi Zhilong's work are just ordinary. The faces series were painted in simple realistic style, not too details, dominate by green-browns color.

These Mao style uniform girls faces series look sad, no make-up. But they show happy faces. these individual expressions seem contrast with their culture revolution uniform in Mao era around 1966-1976, which is indicate a dark-age of China.

For Indonesian curator Jim Supangkat, Qi Zhilong's paintings are not only performs local beauty, but also performs a forbidden individual freedom in revolution era. ”The uniform represent the revolution era that forbid women perform their beauty, but in Qi Zhilong's paintings, those uniform women looks beautiful and happy,” he said.

In modern girls series paintings, their faces look more fresh, more colorful, and some of them have full make-up. Those girl's faces are clean, sweet, like untouchable of hard life.

”They are in high school, in 20s years old. Their faces represent purity, beauty, happiness, and youthfulness,” Qi Zhilong said.

Those happy faces of Mao style uniform girls and modern girls implied an anomaly. Individual freedom is an anomaly in revolution era. Also the pureness of the modern girls who celebrate their freedom.

This 2 kind of anomaly reveal Qi Zhilong's dreams and critics to his society. In this side of view, his works become subversive: criticize the uniformity in revolution era and questioning the present freedom. But those critics are soft and covered behind the charm of sweet girls.

There is no political statement in those paintings. But for them who understand the social displacement in that bamboo curtain country, those faces performs anomalies in the middle of the wind of changes in China history.

Source: kompascetak.com by Ilham Khoiri

Buddhist Students in Indonesia Reject Buddha Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Buddha Bar reaps hard protest from Buddhist students and community in Indonesia. On March 5, 2009, a group calling itself the Buddhist Students Alliance Rejecting Buddha Bar, held a rally outside this international chain franchise restaurant. Several Buddhist student organizations joined this alliance, such as HIKMAHBUDHI (The Union of Indonesian Buddhist Students), students from Buddhist College Nalanda & Buddhist College Sriwijaya. They symbolically "sealed" the Buddha Bar in Jakarta, urging authorities to immediately close the Paris-based entertainment franchise for blasphemy in the Indonesian capital.

About 150 mainly student protesters carrying joss sticks and flowers gathered outside the bar in a wealthy neighborhood of the capital and denounced its decorative use of sacred symbols and statues. They chanted Buddhist prayers and carried banners reading "Remove all Buddhist symbols from the bar" and "Change your name or close forever". A handful of police watched calmly as the protesters then "sealed" the main entrance with fake yellow crime scene tape. The bar was closed at the time.

"For us, Buddha is our revered teacher. But for them, Buddha is a decoration and the worst thing is the statues are in such an indecent place," protest coordinator Eko Nugroho said.

"It is impossible to put the sacred name (Buddha) side by side with the word 'bar', which is associated with a place for alcohol. That is an act of defamation of religion," said Eko Nugroho.

A friend who joined with this group said, at the protest yesterday, a pro-Buddha Bar group have held a match demonstration near the location to counter the protest. But The Students Alliance had coordinated with police to avoid provocation and clash.

CHRONOLOGY

This rejection has started since 2 weeks ago when some Buddhist students gathered to discuss about the existence of this famous restaurant. Then the opinion kept rolling until they decided to make a move to fight for their firm belief. Especially when more Buddhist students and other communities joined the movement.

On Sunday, February 22, 2009 some of Buddhist elements in Jakarta gathered in Cakrawala Tower Fl. 19 to discuss about this Buddha Bar issue. Several Buddhist public figures were present in this gathering, they are Bhikkhu Dutavira Mahastavira, Bhikkhu Guna Badra (Chairman of SMI), Romo Sumedho, Drs. Oka Diputhera (Walubi), Suhadi (Chairman of NSI), Agie Tje Tje, Edi Sadely, Eddi Kusuma, Daniel Johan, Hartawan (Chairman of SIDDHI). Several Buddhist students organizations like HIKMAHBUDHI, KMB Buddha Samagi (UKRIDA), and some Buddhist communities were also present.

This meeting reached an agreement that Buddhist communities rejected Buddha Bar in Indonesia. They formed an alliance called “ANTI BUDDHA BAR FORUM” and they formulated their aspiration in 3 main points as follows:
1. The existence of Buddha Bar has contravened with: (a) Article 156A KUHP (Criminal Code); (b) UU (decree) No. 1, 1965
2. Urge the Buddha Bar to no longer use name, ornaments, and attributes of Buddha for commercial purposes.
3. Demand the City Government to revoke the commercial license of Buddha Bar and no longer issue any license to any party who want to use religion symbol for commercial purposes.

On Friday, February 27, 2009, The Peace & Prosperous Party (PDS), a Christian basis political party in Indonesian parliament, invited the Forum to discuss the Buddha Bar issue. The Forum accepted by Chairman of PDS, Ruyandi Hutasoit, and Vice Chairman, Deni Tewu, in PDS Faction meeting room, Indonesian House Representative Building, Senayan.

There was an interesting thing happened just before the meeting began. Standing over the meeting room door, there was Budiman Sudarma, Chairman of Indonesian Mahayana Youth, spreading leaflet to support the Buddha Bar existence.

His arguments were summarized in 5 points:
1. Buddha Bar is only a legal listed trade mark from France.
2. Indonesia as a member of World Trade Organization (WTO) has to submit the FREE MARKET system.
3. There is a Presidential Decree about Trademarks Law Treaty.
4. UU (decree) No.15, 2001.
5. Government Regulations (PP) No.16, 1997.

He also made an argument in his leaflet that there are 2 places in Bali are also using ‘Buddha’ word, BUDDHA SPA & BUDDHA BELLY.

A friend from HIKMAHBUDHI, Agus Hartono, countered these arguments. He said “When a business investment have been used for personal or group interest with sacrificing others interest (even permitted by the law), then a question about morality and ethics appear. LAW MUST NOT SACRIFICE MORALITY, ETHIC, AND HUMANITY!”

On Monday, March 2, 2009 Anti Buddha Bar Forum had an audience with The National Awakening Party (PKB), an Islam basis politic party, and accepted by the Chairman, Muhaimin Iskandar, and Vice General Secretary, Daniel Johan. The forum looks for a support from political party and legislative members for their aspiration.

In addition, this forum later held a press conference to declare their stand. They demanded the closing of Buddha Bar. Their stand got support from Indonesian Nationalist Youth Forum (FKPI) and a public figure from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Kyai Muhidin. In this press conference, Sangha Mahayana Indonesia (SMI) issued a binding ruling that Indonesian Buddhist rejected the Buddha Bar presence in Indonesia.

On March 3, 2009, Anti Buddha Bar Forum met the Vice Governor of Jakarta, Prijanto, to deliver their aspiration about Buddha Bar. The result is Jakarta Administration would ask PT Nireta, the franchise owner of Buddha Bar in Indonesia, to change the name.

Vice Governor Prijanto gave the Forum interesting information that there were 3 letters sent to Tourism Department which approved the use of Buddha name for Buddha Bar in behalf of Buddhist community. They were Indonesian Buddhist Communication Forum, Central Board of Buddha Mahayana Majabumi, and Central Board of Indonesian Mahayana Youth but now these organizations do not exist anymore.

ABOUT BUDDHA BAR

Buddha Bar is a trade mark under license by George V Restaurant, brought by Raymond Visan from France. It was opened first time in 1996 in Paris. After that it became a famous café and has branches in many cities in the world like Paris, Dubai, Beirut, Cairo, London, Kiev, Sao Paolo, Dublin, and Praque.

Jakarta is the first city in Southeast Asia to host a Buddha Bar. It was said that Buddha Bar could never open in Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand, because these countries considered the using of Buddha name on restaurant as an insulting to a religion. Its opening in Jakarta is really an insensitive decision by the government.

This café or restaurant occupies the ex-immigration building in Teuku Umar Street, Menteng, Central Jakarta. This heritage building has known as Bataviasche Kunstkring (I've written about this building once in this blog) was rented to PT Nireta Vista Creative as the franchise owner of Buddha Bar in Indonesia for 5 years.

It was said that the owner of this franchise of Buddha Bar is Renny Sutiyoso, daughter of former Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso; Puan Maharani, daughter of former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri; and Iyan Farid.

HIKMAHBUDHI as one of the elements of the Students Alliance to Reject Buddha Bar, and Anti Buddha Bar Forum made a petition to reject the Buddha Bar in its website. For anybody who support the move could visit its website at www.hikmahbudhi.or.id, just click the “DUKUNG” (Support) button to vote.

MISUSE OF HERITAGE BUILDING

Meanwhile, Emerson Yuntho from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) urges Police, Judiciary, or Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate the deviation of the ex-immigration building transfer process.

Moreover, The City Government is urged to explain to public about the transparency of regional budget usage to protect ex-immigration building.

He explained that, according to article 19-2(b) of decree No 5, 1992, heritage items can’t be used solely for personal or group interest. Also in tourism context, heritage usage, according to article 6 of decree No 9, 1990, must be consider religion values, local custom, and others values which are live in society.

"When the immigration office (Bataviasche Kunstkring) transfer happened between Judicial Department and Human Rights Department in 2001, The City Government proposed an additional budget in Regional Assets Inventory Project from Rp 1 billion to Rp 30 billions. That such huge Fund will be used to protect the immigration office which is considered to be a historical building.

Sources:
- detik.com
- kompas.com
- liputan6.com
- Reuters
- news.id.msn.com
- medanbisnisonline.com
- buddhistchannel.tv
- hikmahbudhi.or.id
- groups.yahoo.com/group/Pengurus_HB
- samaggiphala@yahoogroups.com
- and others yahoogroups

Ladies Nite at X2 (Soft Case)

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Tomorrow night (March 4), X2 a club located in Plaza Senayan, 4th Floor, Senayan Square Complex, Jl. Asia Afrika no. 8, will be held a Soft Case theme clubbing party, from 10 PM - 05 AM.

Performers:

* MURA [ALPHABET/SYNAN]
* DERANA [ALPHABET/SYNAN]
* READY [SYNAN RECORDINGS]
* ND WHITE [X2 RESIDENT]
* CELLO [X2 RESIDENT]
* X-TRA TALENT : MC DITTER [SYNAN]
* VISUAL BY MOTION CHAMBER [DIGITAL FLUX]

We play our own style of house...have fun..! :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Happy Valentine Day

Time for Bribe the Kitchen God

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Celebrating Chinese New Year without kue keranjang (Basket Cake/Chinese sticky cake) is not completed. Kue keranjang is not only a cake but more as a tribute to Dewa Dapur (Kitchen God) who goes down from heaven at the Chinese New Year day. For many Chinese ethnics, name of kue keranjang is very familiar. It is called kue keranjang (basket cake) because it was made in bamboo basket in process.

According to Chinese beliefs, in Chinese New Year, Gods go down to earth to evaluate people’s life in the last year. They will record anything, either it is good or bad, and then reported it to heaven as an annual reports. That’s why Chinese people use these sweet cakes to “bribe” Gods in order to make them bring good reports to heaven. In progress, this cake was become a tools in social intercourse by sending basket cake to each other in Chinese New Year.

In tradition basket cake has round shape, but basket cake this days is more sophisticated and innovated. Basket cake maker now has developed their products. If you take a walk in Glodok, china town of Jakarta, you can find basket cake in many shape like gold fish shape for example. Chinese beliefs gold fish bring luck and fortune.

Although it was only busy towards Chinese New Year, basket cake business is never die. Siti Lauw a.k.a. Ouw Thio Nio or usually called as Mrs. Lauw began this business since year 1962. Nobody suspected if her basket cake business will be survive and has loyal customers till now.

“I began with only 4 liters of sticky cakes a day at that time, and then it grew to basket cakes until now. The demand is still rising up,” she said.

She admitted that this is a seasonal business, which is having highly demand in Chinese New Year, yet the profit is very high. She developed her products with making various taste of sticky cakes in ordinary day (not Chinese New Year).

“Orders came in 1 month before the Chinese New Year, now these last days are the top of the orders,” she continued.

When she was asked her key of success, she just said: don’t leave your customer! Lauw still makes her products in a traditional way, from pounding the glutinous rice powder, mixing ingredients, until the cooking process that still using firewood and banana leaf packaging. “We cooked the basket cake for 12 hours,” she said.

No wonder, every year she can collects hundreds of million Rupiahs from this business. However she should pay more than 100 daily employees. “My employees are generation to generation workers, in the past I employed the mothers, now their children.”

Just for comparison. In regular days she only makes sticky cakes no more than 30 liters a day for marriage party or else. For basket cakes, she only makes them by order. But in this Chinese New Year she estimated that she will use 20 tons raw powder. Her customers are not only come from Tangerang and Jakarta, but also from other cities like Bandung, Karawang, and Bekasi.

The basket cake price is also competitive. Rp. 17,000/kgs (2 pcs), whereas for sticky cake with coconut milk taste is only Rp. 29,000/kgs, durian taste is Rp. 35,000/kgs, and Rp. 34,000 for sesame taste.

Lauw, who is 84 years old now, has handed over her business to her children, which are the third generation in this family business, from production, marketing, distribution, business expantion, etc. “I am only supervised them,” she said.

Umar Sanjaya, Lauw’s oldest son, admitted that this traditional cake business is prospective enough. However, all this time, they have problems in standardization of quality, and quality development such as how to make the wet cakes ages long enough before it’s getting dry and hard. “For now we can not think about export orientation because this kind of cake has not long ages, although the demand from other countries is always came,” he explains.

He continued that although crisis is happening this year but the demand is rising precisely. Every year the sales are always increasing. He doesn’t know why.

“Maybe because it's a tradition needs, so it's never influenced by crisis,” He said.

For you who want to try this family basket cakes recipe, you can find them in this following address.

JL Lio Baru/Bouraq Gang SPG No 55 RT 01/02 Kampung Sirnagalih, Karangsari, Kecamatan Neglasari, Tangerang, Banten. Phone : 021-5524587 dan 021-71095035.

Source: Detik.com

Many thanks to Hodang for his email about this story.

The Momentum of Indigene Dragons, Recovered Their Social-Politics Back Bone

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:42:00 +0000

Written by Daniel Johan, Vice General Secretary of PKB
Translated by Agus Tjandra

We all know what is Batik, Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet), and Wayang Golek (wood puppet/marionette). When Malaysia claimed batik as their national heritage, most of us agitated and mad because our nationalism was disturbed. Why? Because we know that batik is Indonesian authentic culture that was rooted in our life. Batik, wayang kulit, wayang golek, is a few of creativity and art spirits of Indonesia Chinese descendant.

Chinese ethnics in Indonesia had a very long history and influenced a lot to many aspects in our life, from agriculture, language, medical, politic, to art and culture. However, it was a pity that the darkness of discrimination practices and suppression was colored the life of Chinese ethnics in Indonesia. All of it was begin from Dutch politics, devide et empera, who classified Indonesian in 3 class which are Europe, Far East, and Indigene. The funny is that policy was perfectly adopted by New Order regime. Let’s see the Decree No. 62, 1958 about citizenship, the point of that decree betrayed our Proclamation because the decree was using the results of Konferensi Meja Bundar (KMB), Round Table Conference, December 27, 1949 as the basic.

It was an ironic; an independent country was still loyal to the colonizer desirability. The consequence was since 1959 to 2006 citizen of this country still classified, therefore the discrimination practices on Chinese ethnics had very strong root. The top is Inpres (Presidential Directive) No. 14/1967, made by Suharto regime that forbids anything about Chinese.

It needs good will, hard works, and collective struggle to wipe it off because even now we have the new Citizenship Law and Removal of Race and Ethnics Discrimination Law, yet in implementation level we still facing a lot of obstacles. Everybody’s participation is needed to solve this nation issue.

These 12 astrological signs ethnics suffer the bitter and pain of discrimination and marginalization for more than 3 generations; systematically they had been localized in trade and business sector, until they were losing their social-politics back bone. Therefore, since colonial era to independence era, Chinese ethnics was always in “possessor’s cannon range”, so at any time they could be easy to been sacrificed by the ruler in un-advantage time. Without the social-politics back bone, the Chinese ethnic’s astrological signs were reduced from 12 to 5 which are “Experimental Rabbits” for bureaucracy complexity; “Black Goat” in crisis time; “Milk Cow” in peace time; “Riding Horse” in election time; “Cutting Chicken” in critical situation.

In while, Pramudya Ananta Toer, an Indonesian cultural observer, explained that the whole racialist acts and policies in Indonesia are rooted to falsification of forms and contents of socials incidents by certain persons, with the objectives are to wipe Chinese ethnics off Indonesia, has no citizenship in any country, or minimally as a foot polishes.

But now, reformation has made Indonesia smile again. Chinese ethnics now can perform to the public stage, especially since Gusdur, declarator of Nation Awakening Party (PKB) and former Indonesian President, removed the restriction of Chinese ethnics, including removing the Inpres No. 14/1967, so Chinese Ethnics now can express their self, their tradition and culture, including to celebrate Chinese New Year.

This condition has to pointed as a momentum to regenerate Chinese indigene’s social-politics back bone, so they, as a nation’s children, could stand up as an “Indigene Dragons” which are equal with Javanese, Bataknese, Sundanese, and other nation’s children. Let’s hope in this Chinese New Year 2560 moment brings a new hope for real reparation. Chinese ethnics as a legal indigene is also having values that can be contribute to nation progression and prosperity.

The 2009 election is the most important main gate for Chinese indigenes to regenerate their social-politics back bone so the enthusiastic and active involvement to vote their representatives can’t be wasted. Every Chinese indigene have to use their right to vote because the discrimination time is over, so these Indigene Dragons and other nation’s children can give their best contributions for the prosperity of the people and nation.

Source: www.kabarindonesia.com

(Author's note: I post this article to welcome Chinese New Year 2560 next January 25, 2009, as a reflection for all of us.)

Heritage of Half-breeds Chinese Culture Exhibition in Jakarta Cultural Herald

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:43:00 +0000

Indonesia is very rich with many ethnics and cultures, including Chinese culture. Chinese people were come to Indonesia since more than 1,000 years ago with various ethnics, languages & dialects, and cultures. They lived and breed in islands of Indonesian Archipelago for hundred of years. But they keep their ancestor culture until today. Although in many aspects the culture was mixed with local culture.

The expression of Chinese people (we called Tionghoa) in various islands and provinces in Indonesia, especially the breeds, is very different and more riches than the expression of Chinese in Malaysia or Singapore. It happened because Indonesia her self have so many various cultures and ethnics, so there were a unique acculturation and rich manifestation on Indonesian culture. The Chinese culture enrich and been enriched Indonesian culture.

Jakarta Cultural Herald (Bentara Budaya Jakarta) in collaboration with Indonesian Cross-Culture Community (Komunitas Lintas Budaya Indonesia) shows this unique half-breeds Chinese culture in Jakarta Cultural Herald building, South Palmerah Street, Jakarta. It was opened by Siswono Yudo Husodo, a nation affairs observer, and Jacob Oetama, chairman of Kompas Daily. The exhibition will be hold until January 25, 2009, on occasion of Chinese New Year 2560.

This exhibition show to us about 300 old house accessories and furniture with half-breeds Chinese nuance which are used in Indonesia in stretches of time between years 1850 – 1960. One of those traditional item is a set of altar made from black wood.

This altar is consist of 2 parts which are Kham and Hio Lo. Kham is a 4 doors cabinet decorated with 5 intellectual symbols, which are book, scroll, painting, kecapi (plicked stringed instrument), and chess board. Kham was used as a place to put a ancestors soul board.

Hio Lo, made from teak wood, is a square container decorated with gold painted dragon & hong bird motif, to store joss stick or incense. For Chinese, Hio Lo believed as a shackle for their pray and God.

Beside the altar, we can see a Chinese traditional wedding dress. The gown enriched by flowers and a pair of hong bird motive. There is also Chinese traditional bed, with the specific mosquito net influenced by Padang half-breed Chinese and Betawi half-breed Cinese style. There are also many hundred of years old Chinese traditional furniture shown in this exhibition.

It is a must-see exhibition for you who like culture and heritage.

Source: Kompas Daily

Clubbing at Musro (Aliance Theme Party)

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:20:00 +0000

Tonight, a club in Jakarta, Musro, will made a Aliance theme clubbing party. Musro is a shortness from Music Room, one of the most famous club in Jakarta, located in Borobudur Hotel, Lapangan Banteng Selatan I Street, Central Jakarta.

The party will begin at 22.00 p.m. until dawn. It will performs DJs: Noxx & Ade Bro (M1/43; Jelly (MIMI Production); Adietya (T4L); Fame & DQ (M1/43); Feat Mc D (M1/43); VJ Flicker Screen; Rakazt (T4L); Resty (M1/43); Ndira (M1/43); Arcanum (T4L); Arie Bule & Hemmy.

Happy clubbing guys.

Fatahillah Museum, The Icon of Old Town

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:09:00 +0000

There is a famous museum in Jakarta, located in old town area. Its official name is Museum Sejarah Jakarta (Jakarta History Museum) but it’s more be known as Fatahillah Museum, according to the name of a prince from Cirebon Sultanate who was conquering a harbor town of Sunda Kelapa, and re-named it to Jayakarta on 16th century.

Short History
At 17th century this area was a center of Batavia City (later become Jakarta). It is a capital city of Netherland Indies Government at colonial era, an era of Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), a trading company from Netherland. This 2 floors colonial style building was built on January 1707 by order of Petronella Wilhelmina Van Hoorn, daughter of a Netherland Indies General Governor, Joan Van Hoorn, and finished on 1710. At its time, this building was used as a Stadhuis (City Hall) for Netherland Indies Government to replace the old City Hall which was built on 1620 by General Governor Jan Pieterszoon Coen, founder of Batavia. As a government building at colonial era, there were offices; court chamber; and underground prisons in it.

There are 5 units of underground prison cell in this building to jail thieves, robbers, murderers, rebels, and desertion military officers. Made from concrete wall with iron bars as its door, it’s 8 x 3 meters wide without any proper ventilation beside the door. There are many iron balls used to fettered prisoners ankle in these cells with 100 kgs weight and volley ball size. Every cell commonly filled to 80 prisoners. There is a story told that these prisons were ever filled with 500 (100 each?!?) Chinese people on Chinese rebellion incident on 1740, only served with watery rice and water, while waiting for their execution time one by one on the city hall square. It was told that a Netherland General Governor of Ceylon, Petrus Vuyst, had also jailed in here, not because he was a criminal but because an insane reason. A historian, Dr. F. De Haan, called these prisons as a donker gat (dark hall) that makes anybody feel suddenly frightened only by entering it.

Then, on March 30, 1974, Jakarta Governor, Ali Sadikin, formalized this building as a museum and opened to public. At that time this place was become a focus of a big restoration plan of old Batavia (now Old Town).

Inside The Museum
As a museum, it provides the historical background of Jakarta. According to the records of The Culture and Museums Department of Jakarta, this museum has 23,500 collections.

In the 1st floor we can find many collections of antiquities and porcelains, VOC symbol statue, archeological discovery from prehistorically era, earthenware vessels, statues, and ancient inscription. There are also many display objects such as traditional Betawi kitchen, cigarette stall, becak (pedicab), meatballs cart, etc., which are symbolize the Betawi culture, culture of Jakarta ethnic who was born and bred for generations in Jakarta for hundred of years.

In the 2nd floor, there are many of antique furniture used by the Netherland rulers of Batavia. In this floor we can find large windows facing to the lawn. Beside one of these windows there is a written plate told that through these windows, the leaders of Netherland Government gave their orders to execute criminals by hang in the middle of the square.

All these collection are placed in several rooms such as Prehistoric Room, Tarumanagara Room, Fatahillah Room, Jayakarta Room, Sultan Agung Room, and M.H. Thamrin Room.

Outside The Museum
In the front of the building, there is a wide square used as a plaza in colonial era. At the both side of the entry door, there are 2 cannons which stand across the cobblestone square. In the middle of the square, there is antique fountain water. There is also a souvenir shop in this area

In the back yard, we can find the famous “Si Jagur” cannon, a 16th century Portuguese cannon which is believed has a mystical power. Across that sacred cannon, there is the Hermes God statue which used to be placed on Harmoni Bridge. I will write about these famous objects next time.

There was a Justice Goddess statue stand on the top of the tower of this museum, but now it is gone. It was stolen some years ago. It was figured as a goddess with blindfolded eyes, sword in the right hand, and a pair of scales in the left hand, symbolize the absolute justice.

Location
This museum is located on Taman Fatahillah (Fatahillah Park) Street no. 2, West Jakarta. It’s placed on a 13,000 meters square land. There are several museums around it. On the east of this museum there are Puppets Museum and Ceramics Museum which are stand side by side. On the west are Bank Indonesia Museum and Bank Mandiri Museum. But Fatahillah Museum is the most famous museum in this area and become a main tourism object for Old Town Area. It is the icon for Old Town Area.

The square, which as known as Fatahillah Park, is become a place for many events held by Jakarta Government, especially on special occasions like Jakarta Birthday or Indonesia Independence Day commemoration. Just across the yard, there is a nice café which is called Batavia Café. As a tourism destination, it is natural if there are many trade stands filled that place. Most of them selling garment products like jackets, T-shirts, blue jeans, etc.

Jakarta Government had just renovation this area, especially the public infrastructure like the side walk and the square. You can see there are a lot of stone balls in many size spread around this area.

You can reach Fatahillah Museum by Trans Jakarta Bus and stop at the Kota terminal, or you can use electric train and stop at Jakarta Kota Station, then walk by foot to the museum which is only 100 meters from the station or Trans Jakarta Bus terminal. If you ride your own car, from Monas, just go straight to north through Gajah Mada Street.

Fatahillah Museum is open every day, except Monday and national holiday. It opens from 8.30 AM – 2.30 PM on Tuesday to Thursday; 8.30 AM – 11.30 AM on Friday; 8.30 AM – 1.30 PM on Saturday; and 8.30 AM – 2.30 PM on Sunday. Cover charge is cheap, only Rp 2,000 for adult and Rp 500 for children.

This is the right place for you who want to now about Jakarta history.

Nasi Campur Konghu (Chinese Mix Rice)

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Pictures by Trisno Tohar

Have you ever eat nasi campur (chinese mix rice)? There is a little restaurant which is selling this kind of food. It is called Nasi Campur Konghu restaurant. Thank you to my best friend, Trisno Tohar, who sent me an email about this little chinese restaurant.

The owner is Indonesian Chinese descendant. There are many ethnics in Chinese people; one of them is konghu, most of these people was born and grew at Pontianak or Singkawang city, Central Kalimantan (Borneo). One of their famous favorite foods is Nasi Campur (mix rice). Nasi campur is made from ordinary rice with pork and chicken meat all mix together with special sauce on a single plate.

Nasi campur konghu is a little bit different from other nasi campur. Generally, the main dishes in chinese nasi campur is consist of sweet roasted pork; salty roasted pork; chicken egg; roasted or steamed chicken (sometimes duck). But in this nasi campur konghu there are also boiled blood pork (In fact in some konghu restaurant, like at Pangeran Jayakarta Street, they put some addition meat like foot and tongue pork). Which is make this food very special is the chilli peppers sauce. They use terasi (condiment made from pounded and fermented shrimp or small fish) from Kalimantan for the chilli sauce.

You can find this little restaurant at Gunung Sahari Street, North Jakarta, just across the street with Mangga Dua Square Shopping Complex. The price is relatively cheap. You can enjoy this meal for only Rp 20.000 (less than USD 2.00) per portion. There are also other several Chinese food beside nasi campur, such as steamed chicken rice; and bektim (I don’t know how to called bektim in English, but it made from steamed various part of pork with spicy gravy). This restaurant is open from 10AM to 10PM.

So if you a Chinese food fan, you may like this food to try. It is a recommended!

Monas Delman Vanished Slowly

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:24:00 +0000

One of Monas's traction is Delman (two wheeled buggy). Delman is one of culture of Betawi people (original citizens of Jakarta). This kind of transportation is exist in Jakarta for hundred of years, but now it is very rare to see it on street. Modern technology 'killed' them slowly. And now, Monas Delman is also vanished one by one.

For many years, Monas Delman was become a traction of Monas. We can explore Monas area by this unique transportation for just Rp 15.000. To attract tourist, the driver decorated their delman with bright color and wrapping papers.

But the last couple of years, Monas area is prohibited for delman. Now their role is replaced by two tourism trains to carry out tourist from parking area to the main gate or the other way. Sadeli, a Monas delman driver, said that their feel more comfortable to ride in Monas area. Because they can get more tourists and, of course, income if they ride in Monas area. He claimed that he can get Rp 250.000 a day if they ride in the area. Now they are very lucky if they can get Rp 100.000 a day gross! They operate outside the Monas area now, on the street. And it is very dangerous for them because the traffic.

According to the regulation Monas area is prohibited for delman for cleanness reason. Before the regulation there were about 90 delmans in this area but now there are only 30 of them. Most of them was tired to play 'cat and mouse' with security officers.

In other city, like Yogyakarta for example, delman is conserved and protected, but why in this city this culture were thrown away? Should it be vanished in the name of progression and modernization?

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:25:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL
WISH THE FOLLOWING YEAR WILL BE GREAT AND BETTER

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:08:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to you all

Daniel Johan, A Next Step Of A Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:05:00 +0000

I have a friend. His name is Daniel Johan, one of my best friends. I first met him in 1990. He is my senior in high school. He is the one who introducing me to organization world seriously. We were active and fought together in a Buddhist student organization, known as HIKMAHBUDHI (The Union of Indonesian Buddhist Students). For me, he is a best friend and a teacher.

He was born in a middle class family with trader background; he is the youngest of 6. His life was normal. He has never tasted poor life but he really cared about poverty in this country. He grew up in a good community and supportive family. However, he was autonomous and at the same time he had an internal fight in his mind. He saw corruptions, poverty, and injustice gripped Indonesian people and he could not stand it. He likes books. They shaped his personality and character. He read many good inspiring books and articles. Several public figures become his model. Gusdur (K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid), Kwik Kian Gie, Romo Mangunwijaya are some of them. Slowly but sure he grew as a strong and idealist personality.

We, together with our other friends in organization, have dreams. Big dreams actually. We want to see someday a Buddhist activist, someone from us maybe, which is idealist, intellect, honest, has strong principle, reborn to become an honest politic figure. Why? What for? Because we want somebody to fight for our community, for our interest, and for this nation in an honest and good way. There are to much dirty politicians in this country. A dream, which in our time, felt like a wild fantasy.

Yes, I said fantasy because we belong to the minority community in this country. We are of Chinese ethnics and we are Buddhists. But we are nationalists as well. We love this country very much, and we love and care for our people and our nation. So, when we were active in organization, we learn and fight together to lay a new paradigm and strong foundation in our organization. We want to build a strong, inclusive, nation care organization, with Buddhists value as a basic of course. In this fight we had to face our own community, which had an old- fashioned vision about Buddhist student organization. But finally we did it! We opened ourselves to other student organization, from other religion and nationalist background, including overseas Buddhist organizations like International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB). We interact and cooperate with them to give our best contribution to this beloved country.

We fought together for our freedom against President Suharto. We demonstrate and support the student movement against the New Order regime. We risk our life by going down to the street at May ‘98 Riot incident. Daniel is one of my friends who convinced me that this was the time for us to go down to the street and fought together, not hiding in a fake peace at our home. But that was some years ago.

Now, we walk on our own path. I and several friends now are living and working as an ordinary good citizens. But we are actually never separated. We still bound in the same dream and vision. We still keep in touch and meet in time to time in a small working group.

But only my friend, Daniel Johan, who is still consistent in our path. He still becomes an activist. He keeps our contacts from other activists. Like one of our friends says, he took the next step in his fight for the people in need. He joined Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) – The Nation Awakening Party- as a vice secretary general. He joined this party because he believes in it. This party has the same vision with his. This party was built by Gusdur, a person who consistently fights against discrimination and always defends minority. The chairman of this party, Muhaimin Iskandar, is our friend from Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII), a student organization under Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), when we were active in student organization.

For 2009 election, Daniel is become a candidate of member of Indonesian parliament (DPR) from election area Jakarta 3, he is in no. 2 candidate. His vision in his campaign is “Safe Mother Nation, Prosper the Children of Nation”. He has a website to introduce himself and to pour his mind and opinion to public. You can visit www.daniel-13-2.com or you can click his link in ‘Partners’ column in my sidebar.

I think it is the time for Indonesia to give a chance to a young man like Daniel. Young blood who has new vision, fresh spirit and idealism to reform Indonesian, to face a better look and a better way as well as to regenerate our leaders and our representatives. There are too much dirty politicians in this country; it is the time for them to step back. Let just hope that these young politicians; our young representatives will be still idealistic and keep their honesty in this absurd politics world.

Like a Lotus which is still clean and pure in mud.

The City

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:32:00 +0000

History
The history of Jakarta dates back to at least the 14th Century with the development of a small port of Hindu Pajajaran Kingdom at the mouth of Ciliwung River. Searching for the fabled "Spice Island", the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive and establish a fortress on the site in the early 16th Century.

The old port was attacked by a neighboring sultanate under leadership of Prince Fatahillah. After the assault, the Portuguese navy fleet was destroyed. Fatahillah changed the name of the Sunda Kelapa port to Jayakarta, meaning "Total Victory", commemorating the defeat of the local Hindu Kingdom and their European allies. According to some historians, this event took place on June 22, 1527, a date which later was officially recognized as the birth of the city of Jakarta.

It was to this town that Dutch spice merchants came in the late 16th Century and began a trading association with Europe that was to dictate the history of Jakarta, and Indonesia as a nation, for nearly 350 years. Under the aggressive leadership of Jan Pieterzoon Coen, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) proceeded forcibly to take possession of the town of Jayakarta, renaming it Batavia in 1619; from here they ruled Indonesia for more than three centuries. Following the Japanese invasion and rule of the country from 1942-45, on August 17, 1945, Indonesia's first President Soekarno proclaimed Indonesia Independence and Jakarta became the accepted nation's capital.

Geographic Location
Jakarta is located on a wide, flat alluvial plain on the north coast of western Java. It covers 650 square kilometers of land which rises from five to 50 meters above sea level. Thirteen major waterways flow through it and empty into Jakarta Bay. Time is GMT plus 7 hours.

The city is bound to the north by the Java Sea, to the east by Bekasi district, to the south by Bogor district (these districts lie within the province of West Java) and to the west by Tangerang district (lie by the province of Banten). The city boundaries blend imperceptibly into the neighboring districts, when much of the city's industry is being developed and large numbers of the workforce are located. These greater Jakarta conurbation is known by the acronym Jabotabek (Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi).

Climate
Lying near the equator, Jakarta is hot and humid year-round. The long rainy season falls between late October and early May though rain occurs throughout the year, averaging 1791 mm. Rain tends to come in short heavy bursts, but even during the rainy season it doesn't rain every day. It rains on only a handful of days during the dry season from July to September.

Afternoon humidity averages around 70 %, but is higher during the morning. Temperatures are fairly even throughout the year, averaging nearly 30°C maximum and 25°C minimum. Jakarta gets a steady supply of 12 hours daylight throughout the year, in the dry season the skies are clearer. Mornings are sunnier than the afternoons.

People and Culture
The city's dominant populations come from the surrounding areas of Java, many parts of Sumatera, Bali, and Sulawesi. Also making themselves known are those hailing from Papua, Indonesia's most eastern province, and Kalimantan, home of the Dayaks and one of the largest rain forests in the world. Over the centuries, these groups have kept their cultural roots, yet some have also inter-mixed, including with non-Indonesians, to form a special group of their own known as Orang Betawi.

Jakarta has its own special Betawi culture, which suggests the string of influences that reached the city's shores over the centuries. A long process of selectively borrowing and uniquely blending Chinese, Arab, Portuguese and Dutch elements with native ingenuity has produces the colorful, composite Betawi culture. The word "Betawi" is derived from Batavia, the old name of the capital during the Dutch administration.

Pockets of Betawi life are still culturally alive throughout Jakarta with celebrations of wedding and the rhythms of a distinctive style of music. From the Betawi wedding dress alone one gets a glimpse of the many influences that passed through the gateway of the nation. The Betawi bride wears a gown inspired by the Chinesse ceremonial dress. Although there are many variations of the wedding costume, all feature tassels covering the face and a red dress. The bridegroom - in striking contrast - dons a costume derived from Arab and Indian Sources.

Government
Due to its very extensive size and population, Jakarta has been given the status of province, similiar to the other 33 provinces throughout Indonesia. As a province, Jakarta is headed by governor who is directly responsible to the President of Republic via the Minister of the Home Affair. Holding the dual position of city province and capital city, Jakarta is considered a Special Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota - DKI).

Jakarta is further broken into five municipalities (kotamadya) and one regency (kabupaten) : Jakarta Pusat (central), Jakarta Utara (north), Jakarta Timur (east), Jakarta Selatan (south), Jakarta Barat (west ) and Kepulauan Seribu district administration (kabupaten). Each of these is headed by a mayor (walikota) and for regency is headed by regent (bupati). Each municipality is comprised of a number of kecamatan, headed by a camat, and each kecamatan is divided into kelurahan or 'village' level.

In many ways Jakarta is still just a collection of villages, with neighbourhoods providing the basic services such as garbage collection and security. This is organized by the Rukun Tetangga (RT - Neighborhood Head), who is an unpaid, elected official and carries out a number of duties. A neighborhood usually consist of around 20 households, and the RT is the head of this neighborhood watch system, carrying out registrations for residents and visitors, and keeping records of births, deaths and marriages for the government. A group of RT neighborhoods form a Rukun Warga (RW), wich is the next level below kelurahan.

Business Hours
Government offices are open from 8 am to 4 pm from Monday to Thursday; from 8 am to 2 pm on Friday and close on Saturday, Monday and holidays. Business offices are usually open from 9 am to 5 pm, and are generally closed on Saturdays. Banks are usually open from 8:30 am to 4 pm and close on Saturdays. Moneychangers are open longer hours.

Shops open around 9 am and shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores stay open until 9 pm, though smaller shops may close at 5 pm. Sunday is a public holiday but many shops and airline offices open for least part of the day.

Adapted from www.jakarta-tourism.go.id

Car Free Day on Old Town

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:20:00 +0000

Today, Sunday, December 14, West Jakarta & North Jakarta is car free! Yes, Jakarta Province Government decided to reenacting Car Free Day for West Jakarta (Old Town area) and North Jakarta (around Danau Sunter area).

This car free day is supported by Badan Pengelola LingkunganHidup (BPLHD) DKI Jakarta, West Jakarta City Government, Metro Jaya Provincial Police, Dinas Perhubungan DKI Jakarta, and bike to work community. Until last year, car free day was held only once a month at Jenderal Sudirman St. and MH Thamrin St. But this year it was held by rotation for the five city areas.

Old Town, West Jakarta
Special for West Jakarta a few streets is closed for any vehicle except , of course, Trans Jakarta Bus, from 6 AM to 2 PM. They are Tongkol St., Cengkeh St., Kali Besar Timur St., Pintu Besar Utara St., and Pos Kota St.

In addition to this closing street, several activities are held at Fatahillah Park, such as relaxation bike, gymnastic, futsal (mini soccer), drawing contest, music stage, bazaar, exhibition, and also tree seeds distribution to Jakarta people.

Car free day is not only intended to be reducing to pollution but also intended to be a main tourism package for Jakarta City. "By this car free day, we will urge the Old Town Area to be a tourism destination" says West Jakarta Mayor, Djoko Ramadhan, Kompas, Sunday (12/14).

According to the master plan of Old Town Area, city government will built a parking building center in 500-750 meters radius from this area. Beside of that it will be built a penetration street from parking area to the center of Old Town Area. "We wish some day this area will be car free everyday," says Djoko. "Every Old Town visitors who brought vehicle must be park at the allocated area."Bikers Communities
This event is also supported by couples of biker communities such as Bike To Work (B2W) community, and Onthel Bike (old bike which is made in colonial period) community. They bike around the Old Town Area with their friends and family while campaign to rise people's interest to bike, especially to bike to work.

They also rented their old bikes to visitors for riding around the area or just taking pictures with these rare old bikes. For these communities, this event is became a free gathering place and to fill their off-day with positive activities.

source: Kompas.com & Detik.com

Jaya Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol)

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:18:00 +0000

Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, an amusement park in north Jakarta, Indonesia, is one of the most attractive places serving the densely populated city of Jakarta. It has all the adventures people crave for; Sea World, Fantasy World, Atlantis Water Adventure and Marina Beach. This is Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park.

It is built on reclaimed beach land at the Bay of Jakarta, having, sea and freshwater aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing, boating, bowling, an assortment of nightclubs, restaurants, a steam-bath and massage parlors. The Ancol complex includes a Marina, Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy Land), a golf course, hotels and a drive-in theater. The "Pasar Seni" or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. At a nearby open-air theater art performances are held using the local dialect.

Inside the Ancol Dreamland, there is Ancol Art Market, it is outdoor art market likely recreational place where we will be most tempted to purchase something. Items include antiques, handicrafts, painting, potters, and knickknacks. With many of the artisans working on site, it is a paradise for souvenir hunters and art lovers. This colorful open-air market located in the Ancol Amusement Park provides the unique experience of not only buying quality Indonesian arts and craft, but also a chance to see and meet the artisans at work.

We can watch puppet makers, wood-carvers, painters, and many other craft makers from throughout the archipelago cheerfully working on their creations. At this art and handicraft market, visitors get to watch Indonesian artists creating their masterpieces. Hundreds of artists from all over the country congregate here to exhibit their work, making the spot a fascinating place for tourists and art connoisseurs. We can even get a portrait of our self-done.

Both traditional and modern art and crafts are on display, including paintings, sculptures, traditional Indonesian wayang kulit (leather puppets), gemstone jewelry and many other artistic products. Art performances are frequently held at the Art Market (Pasar Seni) inside the Jaya Ancol Dreamland on Jakarta's beach. They normally range from wayang kulit shadow plays to folk dances and modern drama. This location is open Monday to Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunda Kelapa Harbor

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Adapted from www.jakarta-tourism.go.id

Sunda Kelapa Harbor
Jalan Maritim Raya, North Jakarta

The old port area of Sunda Kelapa remains today a bustling hub for those involved in the vibrant interfiled trade, along with being a center of activity for fresh fish auctioneers. Graceful Bugis phinisi choosers, the world's last wind powered sailing fleet used for trade, still berth at the quay as they have for centuries, receiving and shipping out a wide range of the islands' bounty. Best visited in the early morning.

MONAS, Icon of Jakarta

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:09:00 +0000

Talking about Jakarta is means talking about Monas or National Monument. Jakarta is not Jakarta without Monas. It is the icon of Jakarta. Located at the center of this big city, Monas is become a tourist area & interesting education center for Jakarta people. Monas built in 1959 and launched 2 years later in 1961. Monas is always crowded by tourists who want to see the beauty of Jakarta from its top, increasing their perception of Indonesia history or just enjoy the freshness of 80 hectares city forest.

Every holiday, Monas is always visited by many tourists. In this magnificent place you can enjoy many kind of tours and educational objects. You can climb this high rise monument to the top. You also can do any sport activity here with your friends and family. You can enjoy the beautiful park with harmoniously trees. Or maybe you want to enjoy an interesting water fountain.

Monas History

Monas start built in August 1959. The entire building designed by Indonesian architects Soedarsono, Frederich Silaban and Ir. Rooseno. In August 17, 1961, Monas was official launched by President Soekarno. And opened for public since July 12, 1975.

Whereas the city forest area surround it was used to be known as Gambir Square. Then this square has changing his name for several times as Ikada Square, Merdeka Square, Monas Square, and then now it becomes Monas Park.

Monas's Content & Dimension

Monas built 132 meters high and shaped as phallus (lingga yoni). The entire building is covered by marble.

Lidah Api (The Flame)

At the top, there is a cup which is has a 17 meters high, 6 meters diameter, and 14,5 tons weight flame shape made from bronze. This flame is covered with 45 kg solid gold. Monas Flame formed from 77 parts.

Pelataran Puncak (The Top Yard)

The top yard has 11x11 m wide. To reach this area, visitors must be using elevator with 3 minutes way long. Surrounding the elevator there is an emergency stairs. From the top yard of Monas, we can see high rise buildings in Jakarta. In fine-clear weather, we can even see Salak Mountain in West Java or Seribu Islands on Java Ocean.

Pelataran Bawah (The Beneath Yard)

The beneath yard is 45x45 m wide. This yard is 17 meters higher from the bottom. In this area visitors can see Monas Park which is a beautiful city forest.

Museum Sejarah Perjuangan Nasional (National Struggle History Museum)

At the bottom of Monas, there is a 80x80 m wide room with 8 meters high called National Museum . This museum presents Indonesian struggle history. At the fourth sides of this museum there are 12 dioramas shows Indonesian history since royal ages to September 30 coup d'etat incident by Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Beside of those, it was planned to show the original heirloom flag and declaration of independence manuscript inside this building. There is also a show of master plan of Jakarta development.

Monas Park

You can also put your saturation away by enjoying Monas Park, which is a city forest designed as a beautiful park.

In this park you can playing around with deers special delivered from Bogor Palace. Beside of that you can also do any sport activities with your friends and family.

Monas Park is completed with dancing water fountain which is very interesting to be watched at night. The water will swaying fit in with played songs. There is also a laser show at this fountain.

Beside the sport activities, there is also a free 'reflection massage' for you. In this park there is an area which is has many little rocks you can step on. It feels like you are in a reflection massage session. Free of charge of course. There were also several basket ball courts & futsal (mini soccer) courts for anybody.

If you are tired after walking around this 80 hectares park, you can use touring carriage. This park is free open for public.

Monas Tours

To reach Monas, there are many transportation you can use. You can use express electrical train, KRL Jabodetabek, stop at Gambir Station. Or you can use Trans Jakarta Bus. If you are driving your own car, then you can park in the IRTI parking yard, or in Gambir Station.

To entering Monas building, you can pass through entry door around Pangeran Diponegoro statue. Then you will passing underground tunnel to entering Monas. You can also passing through entry door from Monas north yard. Open time is 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

Monas can be one of your choices to visit with your family & a place for your children to learn more about Indonesia history. You can enjoying fresh air from shady trees in Monas Park (which is very rare in Jakarta). And don't forget! Keep this park clean so it can be enjoyed for anybody.

Candra Naya Rise From Apparent Death?

noreply@blogger.com (Agus Tjandra) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:21:00 +0000

Translated from Kompas.com, an article written by Pradaningrum Mijarto

Remember Candra Naya building? An old building was built in 1807 that 'forced' to stick out between semi finished buildings—hotel, apartment, and shopping center—though its unclear fate. More than a decade the building as if old piles and in apparent death.

In about 2003 there was a strong rumor said that the elder building will be move to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). Many people refused that plan. Sutiyoso, the former Governor of Jakarta at that time, decided that the building shalt not be move. Although at the last Candra Naya was not move, its condition still not changed.

Sin Ming Hui a.k.a. Candra Naya is the last building of three large ancient chinese architectural buildings at Gajah Mada street, West Jakarta. The others two buildings were Ex-Tiong Hoa Siang Hwee (Chinese Chamber of Commerse) building which is now become a SMAN 2 (public highschool building); and ex-China Embassy. They were stand close together.

In 1992, by descent of Khouw Kim An—grandson of Candra Naya founder, Khouw Teng Sek—that building complex were sold to developer who want to built apartment on that land. Two years later, the new owner of the building, Modern Group, bringdown all buildings around the main building and left it alone. Then they begin to develop a modern concrete building.

Suddenly monetary crisis strike Indonesia very hard in 1997. The development stopped. Modern Grup tycoon, Samadikun Hartono, getting mixed up with Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (BLBI) corruption case. Consequently the old chinese architectural building of Chandra Naya getting more misery.

After fell to apparent death for a long time, now that building complex looks cheerful again. The unfinished project now being continued by PT Wismatama Propertindo. One hotel and two StarCity apartment buildings ready to standing around Candra Naya building.

A couple times ago CEO of PT Wismatama Propertindo, Herbert Ie, promised that the project will always considering the genuineness conservation and existence of that heritage building. Just for information, Candra Naya guarded by several regulations and laws. Like Monumenten Ordonnatie Staatsblad Number 238/1931; UU (decree) Number 5/1974; UU Number 4/1982; Keppres (presidential decree) Number 44/1974; and Educational and Cultural Minister Decree Number 0128/M/1998. In Governor Decree Number 475/1993 also stated clearly that all heritage, including historical building must be protected.

From Warta Kota observation, Candra Naya building now looks more clean and more dressed up, ready coming to life, as a restaurant or anything. Although the access door locked and signed "No Entrance", the building looks un-depressed anymore

According to marketing & promotion dept. of PT Wismatama Propertindo, the entire original Candra Naya building, either in the middle or on its two sides—which is parted off in teens years ago—will be restore to its previous and properly condition. ”We will make several restaurants in there,” says Danu from promotion dept. Well, we just wait and hope that Jakarta Government will not cheated again like before.