@lopenSMG, History Preservation through Twitter

From the left, Rizky, Fahry, Lovink, Ridho and Me, in front of Thio Sing Liong Mausoleum

The year of 2012 is almost end, and the holiday were spoiled me already this week. The rumours of the doomsday is now become a common jokes, thus the 2012 films for me, now is the biggest HOAX in 2011-2012, LOL. Anyway in this holiday also,  my friends, Ridho, Fahry, and Rizky ask me to do some unordinary activity, revealing the historical sites in Semarang city together, its like heritage trails who Komunitas Historia Indonesia did in Jakarta.What an Initiative! I felt so blessed and so happy, cause this is what I did for so long, mostly alone and now I will got a company. Then I set the date, and decide to realize this on December, 26th, right after christmas.

Inside the mausoleoum, where the Thio Sing Liong and
His 2nd Wife are buried, taken by Rizky Yuniarso.

The destination were undetermined yet. On the morning around 9 pm, we gathered in front of my elementeary school, SDN Sompok, and have a breakfast first on a waroong near there. Suddenly, Lovink, Ridho's classmate coming, and now we're five, and its make the trails more attractive. While breakfast, we discussed where is our destination today, and I offered them to exploring the remains of chinese grave along Sriwijaya street, and they approve it. The first destination were Thio Sing Liong Mausoleum, the grave of Thio Siong Liong together with his wife and relatives, who located near Gedung Wanita, Sriwijaya. Thio Sing Liong, was one's of the tycoon in Semarang city, His business was spice trading. His grave itself were in 100% condition, and this is  the best preserve chinese grave in Sriwijaya, who already demolished on thge 70-80 decades and changed into settlements. We entered inside its mausoleoum and found that this was so luxurious. The Mausoleum was in form of sculpture of Thio Sing Liong and his Wife, and its from marbles. The marbles itself were imported from Genova, Italy. We took several photos, because we found some interesting goods, like His family photos and a bouquet with certification, Societiet Hwa Yoe Hwe Kwan, 15 December 1940.

Then we continued our trails to the former dorms of my father. There's still existed three chinese grave on its backyards. But when we were there, there's nothing left, its already demolished all.As my memories, one's of the grave are in form of turtleback, I never found it yet in everywhere, only there. As I read on wikipedia, the turtleback tombs are common grave form in the coastal area in mainland of china. For me this is a proof that the chinese people who coming to Indonesia are traders, traders are using ship right? And it must be setlled near the coastal area. 

After that, we take a rest also take a lunch. There's an idea delivered by Ridho, to share about what we did through twitter. Since the power of social media are so strong now, we need to utillize it in order to increasing awareness of Semarang people about its the city history. Moreover, through twitter also, its possible to have an interactive interaction, so it'll be more interesting, at least the people itself know about what this city have.So today, I decide to make this account @lopenSMG so for everyone who have twitter account, kindly follow us and share what you know about Semarang city history specifically or Indonesia history generally with #blusukanSMG hastag. Keep tweeting! :)

Meet Om Jongkie Tio, Semarang Story Teller & Writer

Me and my friends with Om Jongkie Tio, the author of Semarang Kota Kenangan book, in His residence that also a retaurant named Semarang International Garden and Family Restaurant.

What a December! After the event of Pameran Koloniale Tetoonstlelling successfully held, me and my friends who were volunteer are invited to the residence of Jongkie Tio, a famous story teller and writer about Semarang City. I know him from His book, Semarang Kota Kenangan that published when I’m still in Elementary School, on 2000. This book, for me is the first source that make up my mind, how rich my city is. Plenty of Semarang historical building and events are written in this book. 

Visiting His home on Jalan Gajahmada, who functioned also as a restaurant named Semarang International Garden and Family Restaurant, the atmosphere of Tempo Doeloe is so strong. The memorabilia, starts from old photos, radio, lamp, etc are well-decorated the reataurant.  We treats well by Om Jongkie, with His restaurant best food and beverages also with shared a lots of story related to the history and culture in Semarang, mostly about the relation of Chinese and the indigenous people. From His story, we know a lots of fact, like the committee that composed the foundation of Republic Indonesia, nine of them were Chinese descendant. Also like a fact that Admiral Cheng Ho were never landed in Semarang, only their crew who were landed in this city, He only observe from his ship, the main ship that command hundreeds of chinesse explorer fleet. He also share how difficult it was He photographs and exploring the story behind a building or kampoong under Soeharto regime. Even for several times He expelled from a kampoong, because of racial sentiments of chinese descendants, whereas He purposed to documenting the kampoong itself for the preservation, how ironic it is!

The reclame kiosk on the Chinatown, Semarang
taken on 2007

Then, I asked something that I never knew the story behind it, a tube shaped monument with a hexagon-shaped in the top of its, that located in pecinan (eng: Chinatown) and old town. He replied that, “That is not a monument, that is a reclame kiosk, a place for the people patch the advertising, so it wouldn’t patched randomly, in the wall of the building for example”. Well, the mistery has just revealed, also He said that the only one reclame kiosk that stil in genuine shaped is in pecinan. Genuine form its height for sure, cause the others in old town, is already “sinked” cause the elevation made by the city municipial, related to the flood and sea intrusions problems.

This dinner and all of the sharing time with Om Jongkie Tio, were made me felt so happy and believe , through history, we could build the understanding among the people from different background. Also, I realized that this city needs a lot of people who cares about the culture and history preservation. As the time goes by, a lots of old building also, local culture were disappeared, we as the young generation, never let it happened again, don’t we? People like Om Jongkie have a high expectation among the youth to continues what He do, to preserve the history and culture, specifically about Semarang city. So what are we waiting for? Let us do something to preserve it, and I believe in quotes, “Even the smallest people could change the course of the future”.  Lets Act! and thanks a lot for Om Jongkie anyway :)

The reclame kiosk, in the junction near Du Pavillion (now, Dibya Puri) Hotel (1929). (source: skycrapercity)

Why We Fight?

The Dutch soldiers charged a republican basic during politionele actie II on 1948. In the picture appears, a Dutch soldier killed in action during the fight

Revolution, is always costly and has a dark side. Likewise, the revolution for independence in Indonesia. Soon after the proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945, a lots of people questioned the meaning of independence. Traumatic by the Japanese occupation which causing the worst condition of life, and chaos caused by the vacuum of power soon after the Japanese surenderred, that often taken as a propaganda by the Dutch, that East Indie still required an intervention. On the other hand, Soekarno with others national leaders with confidence and optimism, take a significant step to become masters in their own land, who really   vast and rich.

The Dutch Soldier military parade, on
Bodjong Straat (Now Jalan Pemuda)
in front of Nambie Shop on 1947.
Source : beeldbankwo2.nl

This time I will see the revolution of independence of Indonesia from the Dutch army side. Not because I'm an anti-nationalist, OF COURSE NOT!!! But just because I believe likely Germany Wehrmacht, they were just innocent people who keep the commandments of the country, but their leaders, if in this case is like van Heutz, van Mook, or perhaps the very cruel ones, Raymond Westerling, the slaughter of more than 4000 Celebes people, forced them into a terrible and exhausting war. Indonesia at that time, become the Netherlands Vietnam, long, exhausting and deadly battlefield.

As a state who were in war condition, the Dutch government implemented the conscription to face the revolution in Indonesia in the late 1946's. They are trained in Ede, they taught on how to fight a war in the East Indies, alse a knowledge about the tropical nature which the nature itself are very different from Europe. They were also told about the outbreak of revolution in the country and in East Indies as many troops are needed to restore the Dutch rule. Chaos has happened everywhere because of the vacum of power and the KNIL (Koninklijke Nederlands Indie Leger, Army of East Indie) troops is not in good condition after the Japanese occupation. 

A dead bodies of civillian after the
executie by the Dutch Soldier during
the Dutch military operations in
Indonesia. source: Volksrant

Generally, many of the young Dutch complained and objected. Just after the second world war ended, not many young people who have a willingness to fight, to joined as regular army, but refusing conscription is an against the state behaviour and its could be sentenced to jail. However, for the opportunists, it is seen as an opportunity to go adventuring, going from the Netherlands who were stuffy and chaos, after the World War II, and going to the fertille land that have plenty of natural resource: East Indie!

Finally mid-1947, this young soldiers were sent to the East Indies, and soon, face the fierce guerrilla warfare soldiers of the republican army as well as the pro-independence militias. The war was very tiring because of almost the majority of the indigenous people in East Indies which has now become Indonesia atfer the proclamation of independence, fully supports the revolution, support the independence of Indonesia. Things that they don't realized before cause on their minds, the people are getting suffer and hate the revolution, also presuming that the republican army and those militia are no more than a terorist group. As a result, many  of them become stressed and perform several actions beyond the military ethics, like the burnt to the ground the villages and kampoong who were accused as republican based, also civillian killings, since they are no longer able to distinguish who were soldiers or civillians.

Ereveld Tjandi, on 2012. The resting place for both
mercenaries and regular army of Dutch Regiments.

On an evening, ight after tennis practice, near the tennis courts, there is an Ereveld, the placed were Dutch soldiers casualties during the revolution are buried. The Ereveld Tjandi, is one of the Ereveld established in Indonesia by the Dutch government as the resting place for thousand of Dutch soldiers, both the mercenaries or regular army who died during military operations in Indonesia. As I observed the graves, it is likely that many of them are still as young as me, 21 years old, even some of them are still in 18 years old! They have dreams, they kept a lots of expectation on their mind, they waits for their future but soon, dispossessed by  war which initiated only by a few of people. 

Someday, when you were a leader. Beware of taking a decision, caused ur decission are impacted the lifes of others people under your command.

Awakening the Historical Sense through Exhibition

The Sentiling mini exhibition in SMA Negeri 1 Semarang, all of the visitors were so curious with the sories. Reputedly its named Sentiling due to the Javanese felt hard to spell Koloniale Tetoonstelling, so they simplified it to Sentiling.
(photos by: Harry Suryo)

"Als Ik een Nederlander Was" (If I were a Dutchman). A quotes from Ki Hajar Dewantara (Suwardi Suryaningrat) articles in De Express Daily, written in 1913 criticizing the Dutch government preparations of Koloniale Tetoonstelling event, held in Semarang, which also become the commemoration of 100 years of Dutch independence from France. In the article he wrote that, if I were a Dutchman, I will never celebrate my independence day commemoration in the land were I grabbed their independence.  The article also makes him exiled to Holland by East Indies Gouverneur-General, Idenburg.

That quotes welcomed the visitors on the Sentiling 1914 exhibition, held in SMA 1 Semarang in order to provide knowledge to the public about this Koloniale Tetoonstelling. Anyway, the area of SMA 1 Semarang itself stands on the former area of Koloniale Tetoonstelling, which stretched from Pieter Styhoof Laan (now Jalan Pandanaran) to the south, around the area of ​​what we recognize as Taman KB nowadays. The event was held over three days from 10-12 December 2012.

The main gate of the exhibition, situated in the south side
of Pieter Styhoof Laan (now Jalan Pandanaran).
(Source: Troopenmuseum)

Less people know that in Semarang, from August to November 1914 was held this Koloniale Tetoonstelling, a colonial exhibition that used to be the biggest in Southeast Asia's, a world expo which until this day havent held yet in Indonesia anymore (see the list of worlds fair in the world here). As an efforts related to the preparation, facing this event, the infrastructure in the East Indies soon be "slicked up". Train is a favourites transportation on that age, so that railway stations are built for facilitate those visitors from the another town. Jurnatan station, before it the station was just a simple timber station, then converted into a luxurious grand station in 1913, then become the largest station in Semarang, unortunatelly, its already demolished. Then another two new stations built, there are Tawang (inaugurated in June 1914) and Poncol (inaugurated, August 1914), all of that purposed to support the event of Koloniale Tetoonstelling.  A lots of car rental established and of course, a lots of hotels were built in the southern part of Semarang as a visitor accommodation.

The situation on the exhibition, its visible the tram track,
which served to transported around the exhibition area.
(Source: Troopenmuseum)

This event also an event to show off the Dutch achievements in East Indies. Plantations, the main commodity that exported from East Indies, the pavillions is built completed with the miniature of sugar, coffee, tea, cacao, kina, and many more plantations landscape. The manufacturing, trade, financial, bank companies and the colonies in the archipelago complete with custom homes and custom performance shown also participate in this event. As it name as a world expo, this event were invited several fellow country. Unfortunately, on the same year the World War I broke out, which led to this event didnt realized as its planned before. All the representatives of European countries to cancelled their participation, and the only fellow country that attend this exhibition only  United States, Australia, British India, Switzerland, French Indochina, China and Japan.

Explanation through archival photos and books attract the attention of visitors. Until the end of the even, its recorded that 286 people visited the exhibition. A number, that I think its very fantastic, because it is just a simple exhibition, with minimal decoration precissely. This exhibition also financed by Titus Aji, also the initiators of this exhibition that also ask me in favor together to handle it. Salute! in this materialtistic world, there's a people who still wanna to hold this kind of event, which surely there's no benefit at all. Well its already done anyway, thanks for all especially to my friends who have been strong willingness as a volunteer to handle it. So proud you guys! May the knowledge of the visitors after attended our events and their smile, always be a remembrance for us, and made us believe that what we've done is worth, and may God replied by His own way :) ameen. . . 

Me with all of  Sentiling 1914 exhibition committee, from OASE community, gonna miss y'all guys :)

Inside the Jiwaraya (NILMIJ) Semarang Building

The PC tile floor, formed a word "NILLMY" on the front terrace of Jiwasraya office Building, Kota Lama, Semarang.

A foggy morning on the beginning of December, and my friends invite me accompany her visiting the Jiwasraya office, or NILLMIJ, on the old town. She wanna make a coverage about this, and since I like this kinda activity, she wishes I could enrich the information. Messed up with the assignment of Economic International subject, I nearly refused this invitation, but after all with a little struggle finishing the assignment with an extra effort, Finally, I could go, and even the rain are make us wet, I have no regret at all ;)

A stained glass on the main hall, looks
so fascinated around the circular stairs,
and the artistic lamp.

I have posted abouth this building before here, but I haven’t entered the building and saw how inside. My friends, named Kuni was a campus journalist, so she have a press card as a legality to access any  information, what a smart card! Then we welcomed by floor structure formed word “NILLMY” in the terrace. Moving inside to the building, we accepted by Mr. Sis, a Jiwasraya employee then he showed also explained us about the story inside. Begin with the main hall, its already stacked with the new floor, continued with the fascinating circular stairs, with its artistic lamp, but actually its added on 1983. But we could see the original floor, on the 3rd floor, and on the balcony. I don’t know why, the floor on the old building always stacked with the brand new ceramic tile beside let it use the PC tile which for me, its more artictic then the ceramic tile.

Moving to the 2nd floor, Mr. Sis showed us the location where the elevator is “lying”. This was the first elevator in Indonesia, and this elevator, since Mr.Sis is in service in this office is already not active, even another source Mr.Mukidi a guard of this office told that on 1974 according the story of his senior, the elevator is already unactived. I looked nearly and found this elevator are OTIS Elevator product, one’s of the leading elevator company in the world until now. 

An old elevator, on the 2nd floor, this
was the first elevator in Indonesia (1916)

Then moving to the highest level, on the 3rd floor , the floor since the staircase is still in orginal form, with the PC tile. And yap we moving to the top balcony, and woooow! The scenery is so great, the view of old town from the high level. But also we saw, a real threat facing by this building on the next couple years. Due to the rain, and its hasn’t been renovated for a long time, the rainwater are absorbed in the structure, and made its fragile, and maybe the worst is the structure could be torned down.

Back to the inside, and prepared to get back, I asked my last question, is there any inauguration plaque in this building? Then Mr.Mukidi replied yes, it is, and he showed us the location, in the wall in front of the cashier. Its demolished on 1995, together with the works to stacked the floor. Mr.Sis also testified, that its formed like a small altar, and its made from the marble. Well its placed in the corner of the building and seems like it will make no interruption among the people who walks through this, so, why it must be demolished? At last once again I just only said, what a pity!

Looking down from the top floor (3rd floor), the main hall circled with circullated stair,
and on the left side of the sofa, below the stairs is where the inauguration plaque situated.

Uitkijk, the watchtower of Semarang Harbor

De Uitkijk te Semarang or the harbormaster tower of Semarang, as its seen on 1870 (source: geheugenvannederland.nl)

Uitkijk (eng: look-out), that’s what the dutch called for this habourmaster tower building. Talking about Uitkijk, so its cant be separated from the Vijfhoek(eng: pentagon), a fort that built in the site that Uitkijk is erected. The Fort itself was built on the site of a simple earthen wall, built by Adriaan Speelman on 1677. Its built as the respond to the convention between VOC and Amangkurat I, the Sultan of Mataram, as the return for the VOC services to assist him suppressed the rebellion of Trunajaya, which really frustrated Amangkurat I because of this rebellion gained a lot of support among the regent and religious leader over Java Island because of Amangkurat dictatorship rules. In the convention its mentioned that VOC gained control over the north coast of Java Island, thus they need a this fort to protect their interest in Semarang.  

The ruins of Uitkijk on 2007

According to the article in Suara Merdeka newspaper, its built on 1825, the Uitkijk has a role to control the activity on the small harbor situated on Kali Semarang, which a lot of merchant loading and unloading their goods to supply the needs of the people of Semarang. And the Vijfhoek itself has largely demolished on 1741, except two bastions on the west and north, which were included in the new city wall.

Visiting this site todays, it will be difficult because of there’s no suitable parking area, and its turned become slum area. One’s of the old person said that it has been functioned as the warehouse to kept the coal in before the reformation 1998. Then during the reformation, the people surround it looted this, they take the windows, doors, floors, stairs who were made from the finest teak woods. Then yap, the result is like what we saw nowadays, no frame, no door, no stairs, only ruins and garbage precisely.

The remain of Vijfhoek itself is still unvisible right now, but on 2009, some archeologist doing the excavation on the site near uitkijk and found the foundation of the vijfhoek wall. Constrained with the permission of the land owner (which is one’s of the state company) and the sea intrusion phenomenon called “rob” which made this excavation become harder, its stoped, and still there’s no continuity related to this excavation anymore. The excavation site are filled with the rob water, made it look like a cesspit, yuck, disgusting!

The article on Kompas daily which explained about the excavation of Vijfhoek on 2009

Internatio Building, the Battle of Surabaya Eyewitness

The wrecked car of AWS Mallaby, in front of Internatio building, behind the republican banner.
 (Source: imperial war museum)

Several days ago on November 10th , all of Indonesian people celebrated the National Heroes Day, due to commemorating the Battle of Surabaya where estimated 16.000 lives of “Arek-Arek Suroboyo” (Peoples of Surabaya) got killed in action. This bloodbath started when the uprising between the people of Surabaya and the Allied force are getting worst during the revolution for Independence.  Then, the incident in front of Internatio building who killed the Allied high rank general, AWS Mallaby later triggering the retaliation from Allied troops who launched high scale military operation recognize as the Battle of Surabaya. 

The Internatio building on 2011, owned by PT Tjipta Niaga,
but now is no longer used as office, its abandoned!

About the Battle of Surabaya events, well I guess most of us know how its happened from the history book during school time, isnt? But what about Internatio building? Why in the history book, its always be written if AWS Mallaby is killed in front of Internatio building? Eventhough when I’m visiting Surabaya, the building is no longer have a name as Internatio building. Then, I’m just realize that Internatio have a big reputation in the past, so the building name is so popular among the people.

The Internatio is a name of a trading company, one’s of the five biggest company in Indonesia during Dutch-Indie era until early post-Independence era.  Its existed from 1863 to 1970 and the background of the establishment of this company was the wish of the Twente cotton manufacturers to distribute their goods in Dutch-Indies,  which previously held by the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (NHM, nationalized and now become Bank Mandiri). Twente itself is prime cotton industry region and for long one of the most thoroughly proletarianised region of Netherlands. Then its established on 1863, and have a name Internationale Crediten en Handelsvereeniging Rotterdam. The objective of the company was to open trade market, finance exports in various forms, purchase and/ or rentaling ships and participating in cultural societies.  The company, operating worldwide but the fact, its only concentrated to operate in Dutch-Indie, Java island specifically. Its recorded that Internatio has 60 branch office and 2000 employers in all parts of Dutch-Indie. Some of Internatio possessions in the Dutch East Indies:

The Internatio building in Semarang, located in Kota Lama, 

around 1940.  (source : Tropenmuseum) 

1. Ament's sugar

2. Algemeene Industrial and Mining Directory

3. Agricultural Society Bantool

4. Culture Society Modjopanggoong

5. Culture Society Kenongo

6. Handelsmaatschappij Kehding van Nie

7. Paper Mill Padalarang

8. Rotterdamsche Culture Society

9. Sian Tin Operating Syndicate

10. Sumatra Rubber Company

11. Suikerfabriek Tandjong Tirto

12. Society for the Exploitation of Sugar Tjebongang

,and so on

The current condition of the former Internatio
building in Semarang, its turned into shopping
complex.

That’s explain why, Internatio is one’s of the big five trading company in Dutch-Indie beside, Borsumij, Geo Wehry, Lindeteves  and Jacobson van den Berg. After the Second World War and the independence of Indonesia,  Internatio expand their company to  Latin America and later in East Africa, because of the high sentiment of Dutch Company among the people in Indonesia in the middle of 50’s due to the West Papua conflict. Then on 1957, together with others Dutch company in Indonesia, the Internatio being nationalized like the others Dutch trading company and become PT Tjipta Niaga. Then, the glory of Internatio in Indonesia, is end. On 1970, its merged with International Wm. H. Müller & Co. to formed the Internatio-Muller Company.

In Semarang itself, the building of Internatio, which one’s of the largest office in the Old Town area, had been torned down. Actually its also burnt down during the early stage of Indonesian Revolutionary War, in 1945. Currently, the location where Internatio once stand for had changed into a shopping complex and a base for a public transport called angkot.

De Javasche Bank in Semarang

De Javasche Bank office on Bodjongsche Weg ( now Jalan Pemuda) on 1936 and a Five Gulden issued by De Javasche Bank on 1921 (Source: Tropenmuseum; catawiki  )

This November! There’s a statement issued by the Central Bank of Indonesia, that is Bank Indonesia (BI) to change the face value of Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), through redenomination. The central bank saw the value of IDR is too much considering from its nominal, and like it or not, IDR belong to one’s of the bad currencies in the world, so BI had a plan to simplified the face value, by divide it into 1000, so IDR 1000 will becoming IDR 1,  IDR 10.000 will becoming IDR 10, and so on. Well, I just imagine if this policy has been execute, I’ll buy the cigarettes in the store for only IDR 12 for a pack, haha, sounds weird for me. :D

De Javasche Bank office in Jalan Pemuda, currently used by Bank Jateng. 

Established in 1828, De Javasche Bank is a respond to the chaostic financial condition of Dutch-Indie government caused by the Java War, Lead by Pangeran Diponegoro, a Javanese aristocrat and religious leader from 1820-1825.  Millions gulden are spent for this war, to built the road, fortification, hiring both royal koninklijk army from the nederlands and the mercenaries from all parts of Indonesia. The Dutch-Indie government float a loan to fund this outside their income, that really unsignificance caused the war and all of the economic sector are concentrated in java island. That’s why De Javasche Bank established, is to maintained the loan.  There’s a unique characteristic in De Javasche Bank, where the commissioner are appointed only by the Governoor General, but the CEO are appointed by the shareholders. The Javasche Bank become  Naamlooze Venootschap (NV) or in English we rcognized it as limited liability company (Ltd) on 1881 through the commercial Code issued in Buitenzorg (Bogor).

After the independence of Indonesia, De Javasche bank still have a role as the central bank, since the newly born Indonesian Republic, haven’t the central bank yet. Through the Round Table Confrence, in The Hague, which is resulted the transfer of sovereignity from the Kingdom of Netherland into Indonesian Republic, there’s a point in the agreement to stated that the central bank is still hadled by De Javasche Bank until the government of Indonesian Republic have its own central bank. But in 1953, De Javasche Bank nationalized and still have a role as central bank, as we recognized nowadays as Bank Indonesia (BI).

De Javasche Bank, is the powerful bank and it can be seen from their asset. Just look in every major city in Indonesia, their office is must be luxurious, from Jogjakarta, Jakarta, Surabaya, even in Solo. But I just get confused why in Semarang, its not as luxurious as the others city? Well as we get the info from the colonial map dated 1920, De Javasche Bank office in Semarang located in Heerensrtrat, near Gereja Blenduk. But then when I saw the tropenmuseum collection, the office is located in front of Kantor Pos Besar on Bodjongsche Weg (central post office), but the photos is dated 1936. Its probable moved, from the old location in Hereenstrat to Bodjongsche weg. But now the Bank Indonesia office, is located in Imam Bardjo Street, near the central business district of Simpang Lima, so the office of central bank in Semarang is already moved three times if so.

De Javasche Bank office on Heerenstrat now Jalan Letjend Soeprapto (above) and the current condition of this building, now used as the office of Telkom Indonesia, a state owned telecommunication company (below).

Religion Tolerance a la Kudus City

Al Aqsa Mosque or people recognize it as Masjid Menara Kudus, in 1940
(source: Tropenmuseum)

Hello World!

Happy Iedul Adha all! Yesterday we celebrated one’s of the holy day of a moslem, the symbol of sacrifice and  togetherness. During Iedul Adha, one things is important, that is qurban (sacrifice) itself, which in the holy Koran, we recognize that phopret Ibrahim (Abraham) had a recurring dream, in which Allah SWT was commanding him to offer his son, Ismail (Ishmael) as a sacrifice. Ibrahim felt so confuse whether he want to obey the God orders, but there’s no father in the world who have his heart to sacrificing his dear son.  But later when Ibrahim asked Ismail about this, Ismail replied, “ Insha Allah (God willingness), you’ll find me to be patient, just do what the Allah asked to you father”. After all Ibrahim realize orders to sacrificing his son, he blindfold his eyes when he cut Ismail throat. When he cut Ishmael's throat and removed the blindfold, he was surprised when found  Ismail was unharmed and and still alive! But he found a dead sheep which was slaughtered. Abraham had passed the test by his willingness to carry out Allah SWT order. Since that day, all the moslem who’ve been capable are have a duty to slaughter a cattle (cow, goat, sheep, camel, ram, buffalo) during Iedul Adha day, then later distributed to the poor people. That’s the origin of Iedul Adha, but I wanna share about the unique tradition in Kudus city, a city to the east of Semarang about this day.

The story teller, Hasan, experted
about the story about early Islam in Java

I got this story from my friends who comin’ from there named Hasan Anwar, he explain me about, why the Kudus people are forbidden to use cow as their qurban? Even not only on that celebration, we almost couldn’t find any soto, kind of Javanese soup, which using cow meat in Kudus, because they changed it with buffalo meat. So, whats the reason behind it?

Hasan, told me that its just because of Sunan Kudus, the pseudonym of Jaffar Shadiq, the early Islam missionary in Java who lived in Kudus, forbid the people to slaughtering cow, in order to respect the Hindu’s people, who at that time are the majority in Java island. One day, he received a cow coming from the merchant from India. The people are so curious when the cow is tethered in front of Sunan Kudus house. The hindu’s people want to know what will Sunan Kudus do, for the holy animal according to their belief. The number of people gathered increasing, both of the Hindu’s and Muslim’s, who want to  prevented, if any trouble happened to the Sunan Kudus. Then Sunan Kudus come out from his house and said, “Brothers and sisters! My beloved people, I’ll not do any danger to this cow, and I beg u not to hurt even slaughter the cow, because in my childhood this animal once saved my life, its nursing me when I was suffering due to really bad thirst. Even in our Koran, there’s a surah (chapter) using the name of this animal, called Al Baqarah (Baqarah: female cow). ”

Then the people are so excited with what the Sunan Kudus said. Its proof them about the high tolerance of moslem people. Even after that a lots of people converted to Islam, and Sunan Kudus according to the folkstale, received a granted, there’s a building from the local religious leader, where later he renovated it and nowadays become what we recognize as Masjid Menara Kudus.  Most of the building carried the Hindu’s architecture, dominated with the red bricks structure. Its always remind me about , the beauty of harmonism.

Well, until now, Kudus people still obeys the Sunan Kudus order not to slaughtering cow. Every Iedul Adha day, there’s no cow is slaughtered, only goat, sheep, and buffalo. Even Hasan’s added, “once there’s a kampong, break the rule, they slaughter the cow and later all of them were ill.” Believe it or not ;)    

Jazz with Javanese Taste, its Ngayogjazz!

Ngayogjazz 2011, Nandoer Jazz-ing Pakarti 

As the November comes, the most awaited jazz performance event, the Ngayogjazz, is finally ready “break the rule” of the common Jazz Festival! Its free and its so Javanese ;). With the tagline of, Dengan ngejazz kita Tingkatkan Swasembada Jazz (through the Jazz, we increased the self-supporting Jazz)  Ngayogjazz 2012 will be held on Sunday,November 18, 2012. This year it’ll be held on Desa Brayut, a village near in the outrkirt of Jogjakarta. Well, it takes me back to the memories of Ngayogjazz 2011 when it  was held in Pasar Kotagede, a traditional market encircled with the local kampong.

Our fellow "Aljabar Band" from Jazzngisoringin community,
one of the raising star in Semarang City nowadays.

Jazz music where always find its spontaneity, being interactive, expressive and friendly, and through the ngayogjazz  all of this aspect is fulfilled. The event itself its free of charge, accommodating the local performer, and has its own characteristic as Jazz in the Javanese land, not those from the west, that’s the main differences. In the Ngayogjazz 2011, I accompanied by my friends Wisda, Bagoes and Ikhsan also with my Russian friends, Sasha, depart from Semarang city on the noon, and arrived in the venues on maghreeb time, around 6 pm. Soon we experienced  the mystical and magical jazz spirit courtesy of Ngayogjazz 2011. A stage in the middle of kampong, a stage in the parking lot of traditional market, it’s a jazz fest but there’s a lot of tradional food seller with their gerobak(cart) on it, really unbelievable where the music that a lot of people see it as the identity of the high class society, then we could see it in the condition like this.

There’s 6 stages on Ngayogjazz 2011, but we choose the Horn Stage, because there’s a Jazzngisoringin, a jazz community from my city, Semarang, that performed. The stage itself situated in the yard inside the kampong, well this is a symbol that bringing jazz into the traditional people is not impossible at all. Feeling thirsty and hungry, we decided to pay a visit to a warung(tavern) a traditional food and beverages. There we meet another mates, mas dimas, mas aji and mas erje. They also coming from Semarang to enjoyed the event. As we take a rest in the kiosk, there’s another stage situated near it, so our conversation are accompanied by chilling jazzy music performed from the stage near us

All of my friends who accompany me enjoying this
Ngayogjazz 2011, thanx for the memories mates! ;)

We close our journey here, in the main stage. Enjoying the closing performance by Djaduk Ferianto, a famous ethnic music artist that also the founder of this event, Idang Rasjidi , the famous jazz pianist,  and Trie Utami, the famous jazz singer. Here we enjoyed the jazz mixed  with javanese traditional music resulting the amazing harmonious music. So guys, the November is  near, just prepare yourself to Ngayogjazz 2012! Its gonna be worthy and unforgettable, for sure ;)

Hotel Bellevue Semarang, A Recommended Place to Stay

Hotel Bellevue in 1948, the front side is no longer like its appears in the photos because now there's a cafe built in front of the hotel (source: sepatoeroesak.nl) 

Visiting Semarang city, everybody needs the comfortable place to stay precisssely. Well, I'll show you the recommended hotel in Semarang that everyone who stay there will not only just rest for a while, but also enjoying the old memories for those who lived in the colonial period, and an old time experience for those who was born after it.

Bellevue Hotel, or now recognized as
Hotel Candi Baru as it appears on 2007

Its, Candi Baru Hotel which provides a mix of original Dutch building with cold and calm atmosphere in the , Candi baru settlement. Its built after the boom of the hotel growth in Semarang, right after the Koloniale Tetoonsteling event, that increasing the number both of business growth and tourism in Semarang. So many new hotel built in the Nieuw Tjandi areas because in the colonial age, this area belongs to outskirt city area. But now its no longer anymore, its already a densely area, then it makes the area is too crowd as the resting place, and  the result? Many hotels are demolished. Thats why, we recognizing there's a kampoong named Candi Losmen, but of course now adays there's no losmen (hostel) anymore existed on that place.

Back to the Candi Baru Hotel, originally has a name as Bellevue Hotel until it changes in the early decades of 60's since Mr.President Soekarno, banned the used of foreign language as his efforts related to nationalism. Built by Van Damen Wars in 1919, and now owned by PT Sido Muncul, one's of the traditional herbal product company, the building is still well preserve and strong enough. Beautiful park scenery and artistic architectural, decorating with the statue of angels make its really attractive to everybody who stay there. The hotel rates itself are varied start from IDR 85,000 to IDR 500,000 per night. Well, for you who wanna coming to Semarang, its recommended to stay here :)

Inside the hotel, the dining hall, still preserved the old atmosphere. Hanging lamp, PC tile floor, chairs, tables, all inside the hall, perfect! (source: official website of Candi Baru Hotel)

Tong Koei See, Place to Back Together

Hello mates! Long time no see, hehehe, to busy with several college activities and assignment is not good for my blogging activity. Well Thanks God, in this early October I could have a lots of free time and wish I could manage my time to make my blog "alive" again :)

Well in this October too, on first week, my Friends from China, named Cherry who was worked with me in ROAR Project AIESEC UNDIP last year, coming back to visit Indonesia, she said she really damn missed with all of Indonesian-thingy, hehe, well then the story goes as she arrived in this city after having a lots of amazing experience in Bromo, and suddenly contact me to meet up with her in Simpang Lima. Then while meet up, after several sharing time, they asked me to take them to the interesting place in Semarang, since Cherry bring her friends together with her Chissy, who never visit Semarang before. Then yes, we decide to Masjid Agung, but before that I rememmber that I need a chinesse to translate a historical sites named "Bong Bunder", a chinesse graveyard who the story beside it still mysterious, then they agree to help me, then yap! They got a city tour and I got a translator :D

My friend, Cherry and the grave who all
person who re-buried here have a "Ho"
surname

Then we arrived on the sites, both of Cherry and Chissy, looks so surprissed, seeing there's an ancient chinese graveyard, looks so old, even cherry said that it must be from Ming Dynasty, seeing from the shaped and letter that used in the inscription. Then they start to translate it to english, a little debates occurs between them because its really hard to translate this letter who were in Traditional Chinese, while now in daily they used Simplified Chinese. 

According to them, this graveyard are mass grave, more than one person are burried in one grave. One of the grave are grave for Cheng Ho descendant, WOW! Cherry argue it must be grave of Cheng Ho followers then their descendant since in the surname they used that name. And the others grave are mass grave, but its not written in the "bongpay" (chinese gravestone) its not contains any name. 

There's an inscription in a rectange-form stone that stood in the northern side of sites, and from that inscription can be seen, that this is was a mass grave from several grave that moved here from their old place, also the cost that spent to built this, the name of the person who burried here, and also the year. The year are in the chinesse lunar calendar, then Chissy took her i-phone and convert it into the gregorian style, and yap we got the year, its built on 1804!

Another grave which is not specificaly
mentioned the name.

Its really helpful, and now I've a clear story after it. Before they translate it, I just know its story from a local newspaper that this site are built to be a mass grave from the chinesse graveyard that demolished in the Petolongan, an Arabic settlement near China Town. Its moved because of the Dutch authority want to built a new settlement over it. But the story confusing with another story that mentioned that it was a mass grave of the victims under japanese ocupation during pacific war, anither story mentioned that it was a grave of famous chinesse tycoon that coming from Semarang city, that is Oei Tiong Ham. Everybody knows that Oei, is buried in the luxurious grave in Simongan Hills ( but now is already gone, and turn into a settlement)

Well, thanks for Cherry and Chissy, thanks for coming back! And also for helping me to translate all of this chinesse letters, zai jien! :D

Karyadi Bunker, Tell Me Your Stories...

The Karyadi bunker, newly discovered from the excavation on 2012

Accompanying my Dad's doing his healthcare on Karyadi's hospital, remind me about the newly discovered bunker in the parking lots of Karyadi Hospital. Its made me so curious, since there was a lots of story about bunker. Peoples in Semarang city, most of them must heard about the story of bunker that connecting, Lawang Sewu  to HBS Mugas (Now SMA Negeri 1 Semarang) or the story of bunker that connecting from the Willhelmina Zikenhuis (Now RS Bakti Wira Tamtana) to Lawang Sewu also, and another story that still until now there's no evidence to proof all of that stories.

I curious then I walked to find out where is the bunker is, then I found it, its situated near the parking lot in the backyard of the hospital. Its still in the construction area of a project to build the new building inside the hospital. After asking for permission to the wokers, then I could enter and exploring the bunkers. But unfortunately, its under my expectation, the bunker itself only have a length less than 4 meters. Hmmph, is it any further extension behind the wall, could be, but I belive there's an extensions behind it.

As we know, post World War I [1914-1918], the government of Netherlands Indies prepared the breezing of Pacific War, as the Japanese threaten. They prepared their militaries in the colonies well, they strengthen their armies, their armouries, radars, also the shelters. We could see the examples in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, etc, in the major cities of Indonesia they have thier own bunkers, as shelters to the Japanese air raid.

But its couldnt have any significant role while Japanese commanded by Admiral Takeo Takagi with their quick invasion capturing Philippines then Tarakan and finally crush the Naval of Western power coalition( Dutch, British, French, US) well known as Allied force on Java Sea, 27th of February 1942, one's of a major naval battle of the Pacific theatre of Second World War. Then, the Japanese landed their military in Java, and forced the General Ter Poorten, as the commander of Allied force in Java to surrender. Then the Japanese occupation of Dutch Indies begin.

The bunkers as seen from the west side.

Inside the bunker, I believe, there was an extension
behind it.

Geef Mij Maar Nasi Goreng, an Homesick Song

Mornin! Still morning and the only one that we could do first is taking breakfast right? The popular breakfast menu for Indonesian people is Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), and its become likely a uniqueness about the breakfast practice, even its inspired Dutch-Indo Artist, Louisa Johanna Theodora "Wieteke" van Dort (born in Surabaya, May, 16th 1943) to compossed a song titled Geef Mij Maar Nasi Goreng (Just give me a Nasi Goreng). I know this song from the talent show in the Television, a cuple years ago, when one of the contestant performed its song. I’ve got very surprised, its so unique song for me, because its dutch song but contains bahasa(Indonesian language) also.

Wieteke van Dort ( source: wikipedia.org)

Following the high tension between Indonesia and Netherlands in the 1957, due to West Papua conflict and the government spread the anti-western sentiments, Wieteke and his family, flee to Netherlands, forced to left her home in Indonesia and started a new life there. In Netherlands she got stressed with the climate condition and culinary in Netherlands, thus she wrote this Geef Mij Maar Nasi Goreng song, to express her homesickness with Indonesia. And, this is the song and the lyrics of Geef Mij Maar Nasi Goreng itself,

Toen wij repatrieerden uit de gordel van smaragd

( when we’re arrive from Indonesia)

Dat Nederland zo koud was hadden wij toch nooit gedacht

( we never know if Hollands is so cold)

Maar 't ergste was 't eten. Nog erger dan op reis

( the worse one’s is its meal, even worst than we got in the trip )

Aardapp'len, vlees en groenten en suiker op de rijst

( pottato, meat and vegetables and rice with sugar)

refrain :

Geef mij maar nasi goreng met een gebakken ei

( just give me a fried rice with an omelette)

Wat sambal en wat kroepoek en een goed glas bier erbij

( with a sambal(special Indonesian sauce) and krupuk (Indonesian chips) and a glass of beer)

Geef mij maar nasi goreng met een gebakken ei

( just give me a fried rice with an omelette)

Wat sambal en wat kroepoek en een goed glas bier erbij

( with a sambal and krupuk and a glass of beer)

Geen lontong, sate babi, en niets smaakt hier pedis

( there’s no lontong(rice cake), pork satay, there’s no pedis/pedas(spicy) taste)

Geen trassi, sroendeng, bandeng en geen tahoe petis

( there’s no trassi(dried shrimp paste) , srundeng (fried coconut grater), bandeng (milkfish), and tahu petis(fried tofu with petis, an extract shrimp paste))

Kwee lapis, onde-onde, geen ketella of ba-pao

( kue lapis (lapis cake), onde-onde (ball shaped cake with sesame seeds), there’s no cassava or bakpau(chinesse bun))

Geen ketan, geen goela-djawa, daarom ja, ik zeg nou

(there’s no sticky rice, there’s no Javanese sugar, so I said: )

(back to refrain)

Ik ben nou wel gewend, ja aan die boerenkool met worst

(but now I’ve been adapted with cabbage and snaps)

Aan hutspot, pake klapperstuk, aan mellek voor de dorst

( hutspot, with a coconut grater and milk)

Aan stamppot met andijwie, aan spruitjes, erwtensoep

( stamppot with an andijwie vegetables, spruitjes, erwtens sup )

Maar 't lekkerst toch is rijst, ja en daarom steeds ik roep

( whatever it is, the rice is the best one. So I always said: )

(back to refrain)

The Early Hospital in Semarang (Part II) : RSUP Dr.Kariadi

The main hall of Centrale Burgerlijke Ziekenhuis (CBZ)  in 1929. (Photos by: Troopenmuseum)

If you think good health is expensive, then try ill health, because If you are sick, no matter how rich you are, how powerfull you are, everything you have would be going nothing. A proverb that show us how the healthiness is so important even its the main things in the human's life. Related to this the healthcare facility is so important, and now i'll continue my story about "The Early Hospital in Semarang" , which is before i've post about the St. Elizabeth hospital, now i'll share the information about Centrale Burgerlijke Ziekenhuis (CBZ) or now known as RS Dr.Kariadi (RSDK).

The main hall of RSUP dr.Kariadi in 2012

In the 1919, a doctor name N.F Liem who worked in Semarang, have an ideas to merged the City Hospital (Stadverband Ziekenhuis) which is located in Old Town with the City Auxiliary Hospital (Hulp Stadverband Ziekenhuis) who located in the town square . The plan itself is to build the central hospital in the outskirt of Semarang city. Anyway, dr. N. F. Liem, who born in Muntok, Bangka in 1872, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy in Indonesia book, written by Myra Sidharta and Claudine Salmon, is the first Chinese Indonesian doctor in Western Medicine. Back to the story of establishment of RSUP Dr.Kariadi, then after several surveys, its choosed the location for it in Kalisari. It takes five years to built it and officialy opened on September, 9th 1925 and its named Centrale Burgerlijke Ziekehuis (CBZ). On that time the CBZ could accommodated 500 patient who were takes care in the big ward contains of 45 patient. Beside that its already served the specialities is already exist, like the internist, surgery, obstetrics, ophthalmologist, dermatologist and many more, strengthening the name of the CBZ itself to become the leading hospital in Semarang city. The complex of CBZ it also designed compact, so its make the nurse, doctor, and the hospitals employee could take the quick action, related if there’s emergency condition. Considering the medical personel are so rare, so its built a drom and office for the medical personel of CBZ around the CBZ itself. Following the Japanese occupation of East Indie on 1942, this hospital changed its name into Pusat Rumah Sakit Rakyat (PURUSARA). Then when the revolution for independence declared on 1945, this hospital also become one’s of the republican based for struggling.

The Pavilion of "de wachtdokter" or the waiting doctor on CBZ in 1929 (Photos by: Tropenmuseum). 
And the picture below is the current condition, currently used as cafetaria and stationary. 

The famous story related to this hospital about revolution for indepence is the story about dr.Kariadi, which later his name immortalized for the official name of this hospital in 1964, from Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat (RSUP) Semarang into Rumah Sakit Dokter Kariadi (RSDK). Dr. Kariadi is one’s of the doctor who’s in charge in PURUSARA start from 1942, right after he finished his duty to become medical personel in the city of Martapura in Borneo(Kalimantan) island. In PURUSARA he’s in charged as the head of malaria laboratory. Following the surrender of Japanese into Allied force in August 1945, there was an status quo in East Indie because there was vacuum of power. The tension between the republican militia and the Japanese force who’s refused to hand over their weapon are continuously happened and make the city condition getting worst. Then on October 14th 1945, there’s happened the massacre of Japanese force in Boeloe prison by the militia, and its make the Japanese force in anger and respond this brutality with others brutality, they burnt down the Pandean Lamper and Tegal Kangkung kampoong. Then there’s a rumours that the Japanese poisoned the Siranda Reservoir. It’s an extremely dangerous action if its ignored so Dr. Kariadi, accompanied by militiamen from the Tentara Pelajar Corps, with a car goes to checked about the truth of that rumour. Unfortunately, the Japanese army killed him together with the militiamen in the middle of their way to Siranda. The dead body of dr.Kariadi are abandoned in the hospital for two days because of in the following day there’s happened the clash between Japanese and the Republican Militia, known as Pertempuran Lima Hari Lima Malam. On October 17th 1945, finaly the body of dr.Kariadi finaly buried, but its in the yard of PURUSARA, considering the hard situation. On the 1961, the remains of dr.Kariadi dead body, moved into the Giri Tunggal Cemetery, and re-buried with the military ceremony.

Now the RSDK become one’s of the leading hospital in Semarang. With the extensive development, this hospital now served more than a thousand of patient every day and also projected as the international hospital.

The Bust of dr.Kariadi in the main hall