Jakarta Immortalizes Betawi Figures as the Names of Roads, Buildings, and Special Zones

The Jakarta Government has immortalized several Betawi figures as the names of roads, buildings, and special zones to make Jakarta a city that respects its culture and history.

It will serve as a reminder to all of us that in this city there are influential figures who are immortalized for street names

The inauguration of street names was carried out symbolically at Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village, South Jakarta, Monday (6/20).

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in his speech said that the naming of the road is a form of respect for the great contribution of Betawi figures and ulama who have taken a part in the history of Jakarta and the nation.

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"This afternoon, we gather together at the Setu Babakan Cultural Village to witness the inauguration ceremony of the names of Betawi figures whose roles in the past had an impact on the journey of life in Jakarta and Indonesia. They are remembered for providing benefits to others and giving their lives for progress," he explained as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release, Monday (6/20).

He also conveyed how the Betawi people have become a unifier and strengthen the national knot, especially with their warmth of accepting the nation's children from all over Indonesia in Jakarta.

"How big the contribution of the Betawi people to the strength of Indonesian national unity. Behind the splendor of a city, there is a knot of unity and this knot would not be able to grow close if it was not facilitated by the Betawi community. Therefore, Indonesia has a huge debt of gratitude to the Betawi people because in this place the national weaving is woven by the warmth of the Betawi people who welcome all of us from various parts of Indonesia with equality," he expressed.

"Therefore, the contribution of the Betawi people in various sectors needs to be perpetuated. Hopefully, it will serve as a reminder to all of us that in this city there are influential figures who are immortalized for street names," he added.

By naming the road, he expected that the new generations could realize that Betawi figures existed through a journey across time and generations.

He explained that Jakarta Government wanted to make the roads in Jakarta a 'civilization museum' that could be remembered by Jakarta residents across generations when walking or driving on the road.

The inauguration of street names was also a part of the effort to make Jakarta more informative and become a reference. In addition, the name change had also been discussed in depth with various parties thus it wouldn't make it difficult for residents. "The change in the name of this road has been discussed with police, BPN, and Dukcapil Agency until it gradually turns with a new name. Together, we make this transformation not a difficult thing," he stated.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Culture Agency Head Iwan Henry Wardhana added the process of immortalizing Betawi and Jakarta figures as street names were carried out by considering the historical value and character of the proposed names as well as the historical value of existing street names that would be replaced. After going through the assessment process from historical aspects, more detailed communication and discussion were also made with historians, the Betawi Cultural Village Study and Development Forum, and Betawi figures.

The list of proposed street names that had been discussed with related parties would be processed and evaluated according to Jakarta Governor's Decree No. 28/1999 on Guidelines for Determining Roads, Parks, and Public Buildings in the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. The proposed names of roads that had been socialized and accepted by the community would be stipulated in a Governor's Decree.

"In the first stage, there are 32 names of roads, buildings, and zones which are proposed to be changed simultaneously in 5 municipalities and Thousand Islands Regency, namely 8 roads in Central Jakarta, 1 road in North Jakarta, 2 roads in West Jakarta, 4 roads in South Jakarta, 5 roads In East Jakarta, 2 roads in Thousand Islands, 5 buildings in 5 municipalities, and 5 zones at the Betawi Cultural Village, South Jakarta," he explained.

According to him, the Jakarta Government had also anticipated the impact of changing road names on various population administration documents, property ownership, and ownership of motor vehicles in the community. One of them was by coordinating with related parties, such as Dirlantas Polda Metro Jaya, Jakarta Regional Office (Kanwil) of the National Land Agency (BPN), Jakarta Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda), and Jakarta Population and Civil Registration Agency (Disdukcapil).

"In the future, the Jakarta Government will continue the process of changing names of the roads that have a long length, making it easier for the address search system. The change of address is planned to use the names of national heroes/figures thus the roads in Jakarta can become a 'civilization museum' not only on a local scale but also on a national scale. With these changes, we hope that Jakarta can become a node that can strengthen and unite all Indonesians harmoniously," he mentioned.

Meanwhile, the extended family of H.M. Saleh Ishak, represented by Rusdi Saleh, expressed his gratitude to Jakarta Governor for setting H.M. Saleh Ishak's name as the name of the road on the south side of Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya, Central Jakarta.

"Thanks to Mr. Anies Baswedan who has designated the name of the road as a sign of love and respect to our father, H.M. Saleh Ishak, a Betawi hero, who is buried in Kalibata Heroes Cemetery," he said.

Engkar Nori as a family representative of Mpok Nori also expressed her gratitude to the Jakarta Government for establishing Jalan Mpok Nori on Jalan Bambu Apus, East Jakarta.

"Hopefully, this award will motivate the next generation of Betawi artists," she added.

Here is the list of street names that were changed:

Central Jakarta

1. Tino Sidin is a painter and figure in painting/drawing education for children in a TV program on TVRI, also known in the era of the independence revolution as playing a role in the military. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan Cikini VII

2. Mahbub Djunaidi is a figure known as the first general chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII), also known as a journalist, writer, columnist, clergyman, and politician. His name is immortalized as the name of a street on Jalan Srikaya, around Kebon Sirih

3. Raden Ismail is the nephew of the national hero M.H. Thamrin who was active in the acting world and had traveled to Singapore, Malaya, and Thailand with an opera group and was known as a Betawi actor in the 1950s era. His name is immortalized as the name of a street on Jalan Buntu

4. A. Hamid Arief is an Indonesian actor who was active in the 1950-1980s era. His name is immortalized as a street name on Jalan Tanah Tinggi 1 Gang 5

5. H. Imam Sapi'ie is a Hero of Independence who fought against the invaders and was appointed Minister of People's Security Affairs during the revolutionary era. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan Senen Raya

6. Abdullah Ali is a Betawi figure who is nicknamed the maestro and legend of Indonesian banking. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan SMP 76

7. M. Mashabi is a musician who participated in introducing modern Malay music styles. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on the north side of Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya

8. H.M. Saleh Ishak is a native of Jakarta and a Hero of Independence from 1945 to1950s. His name is designated as the name of the south side of the Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya

North Jakarta

1. Mualim Teko is a Betawi scholar who died in Kapuk Teko. His name is immortalized as the name of the road in front of the Muara Angke Nature Tourism Park

West Jakarta

1. Guru Ma'mun is an intellectual and Betawi scholar in Rawa Buaya Cengkareng, West Jakarta. His name is immortalized as a street name on Jalan Rawa Buaya

2. Sheikh Junaid Al Batawi is a Betawi scholar who spread Islam in Betawi in the 18th century. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on the West Outer Ring Road (from Cengkareng Market towards Kamal)

South Jakarta

1. H. Rohim Sa'ih who once provided land for rent to build the Betawi Cultural Village which we now know as the Embryo Zone. His name is immortalized as the name of a street on the west coast of Setu Babakan

2. KH. Ahmad Suhaimi is a community leader who is known as the initiator of the establishment of the Baitul Ma'mur Mosque (now the Baitul Ma'mur Grand Mosque), as well as several mosques around the Srengseng Village. His name is immortalized as a street name on the East Babakan Setu Bank

3. KH. Guru Amin is a scholar who fought against colonialism during the revolution. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on the north side of Jalan Raya Pasar Minggu

4. Hj. Tutty Alawiyah is a former Minister of Women's Empowerment, academics/lecturers, and Women's Ulemas. Her name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan Warung Buncit Raya

East Jakarta

1. Mpok Nori is a Betawi comedian. Her name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan Bambu Apus Raya

2. H. Bokir bin Dji'un is a Betawi mask artist whose name was proposed for some sections of Jalan Raya Pondok Gede, from Hek to intersection of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII)

3. Haji Darip is an expert in martial arts, a preacher, and a fighter during the revolution who was nicknamed the Klender War Commander. His name is immortalized as the name of the street on Jalan Bekasi Timur Raya

4. Entong Gendut is a fighter against community resistance from the Tanjung Oost area (now Gedong Village, Condet). His name is immortalized as a street name on Jalan Budaya

5. Rama Ratu Jaya is a martial arts teacher who fought against Dutch colonialism in 1869. His name is immortalized as the street name on the west side of Jalan BKT

Thousand Islands

1. Habib Ali bin Ahmad is a scholar and preacher who was the first to spread Islam on Panggang Island and its surroundings. His name is immortalized as a street name on Panggang Island

2. Kyai Mursalin is a scholar who was known as an expert in martial arts. His name is immortalized as a street name on Panggang Island