Betawi natives seek greater recognition in multiethnic Jakarta

Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Marginalized Betawi natives are still struggling for recognition in the ethnic melting pot that is Jakarta, a discussion in the capital heard Saturday.

During the discussion, which formed part of a five-day conference on issues faced by Betawi people, members of the Betawi Consultative Body voiced their hopes to members of the city administration and City Council.

Many participants said they wanted the city administration to concentrate more heavily on conserving and developing the Betawi culture. Others said they wanted Betawi natives to be included in making decisions about the city's future.

One member of the organization, who identified himself as Taufik, said Betawi representatives should be involved in devising new city bylaws.

"Body members want Betawi natives to sit together with city councillors so as they can join in discussions on new bylaws.

"Betawi natives are part of the city and we want our voice to be heard," he said.

In response, Council Speaker Ade Surapriyatna said he would like Betawi participants to be included in the decision-making process for every new bylaw, but Jakarta was a plural city with other ethnic groups.

"I've heard of inter-faith groups, but not inter-ethnicity groups that represent each ethnic group in the city, including Betawi people," he said, adding that he could not give special treatment to the members of one ethnic group.

Another body member said Betawi symbols could be put in public places, such as bus shelters, as a way to preserve the culture.

"We should also consider paying homage to our Betawi ancestors by naming streets after them, as we did with M. Hoesni Thamrin," he said.

M. Hoesni Thamrin is a national hero of Betawi origin. He established Perkoempoelan Orang Betawi (the Betawi People's Association) in 1923, prompting the Dutch colonial administration to officially recognize the group during the final years of its occupation.

A 2007 law on Jakarta as the Capital of Indonesia requires the administration to conserve the city's heritage, including aspects of the Betawi culture.

A member of the body's political commission, Syahrul Kumala, said he hoped Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo would prioritize Betawi natives when filling strategic positions in the administration and the council.

"I think it's natural to have Betawi people making important decisions in the administration and the council," he told The Jakarta Post at the conference.

According to historian Alwi Shahab, Betawi natives were forced to move to the outskirts of Jakarta in the 16th century when they started spreading Islam across the city, which at the time was known as Batavia.

"Betawi people actually had existed in the city ... long before the Portuguese arrived. Their ancestors once lived in the Pasar Minggu (South Jakarta) and Condet (East Jakarta) areas," he told the Post.

"The Kingdom of Padjajaran that ruled Batavia in the 16th century felt threatened by the presence of Betawi Muslims as they spread their teachings expeditiously," he said.

"The kingdom then joined forces with the Portuguese to force Betawi people out of Batavia."

Betawi natives moved to the outskirts of the city and places further afield, such as Jatinegara Kaum in East Jakarta, Depok in West Java and Tangerang in Banten, Alwi said.

"Their migration was also due to their inability to feed their families. They had to sell their land and move," he said.

"Now Betawi people need our support so as they can be better recognized."