Historic, cultural buildings at risk of destruction

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon | Tue, 12/15/2009 8:47 AM

Kasepuhan Palace Mosque, Cirebon

Dozens of historic buildings with important cultural heritage value in Cirebon city, West Java, are at risk of further damage because of a lack of maintenance, with some on the verge of collapse.

According to the head of Cirebon Legislature Commission B on construction, Tjipto, the city had listed 52 buildings it believes the government should preserve.

“[Cirebon councilors] are continually urging the government to take concrete measures to save the historic buildings. We don’t want them fall apart,” Tjipto said.

Local cultural observer Ahmad Syubhanuddin Alwy said most of the heritage buildings were in a vulnerable state. “I’m afraid they will be ruined if the government fails to take the necessary steps quickly,” he said.

“The old neglected buildings appear eerie. Many of them have corroded because of their old age,” Alwy said.

“If the heritage buildings are lost, the history of the city will be lost also. The government should take concrete steps to save them, because they are part of the history of the city as well as the country,” he said.

Most of the damaged historic buildings were built during the Dutch colonial period, while some are were part of the Cirebon sultanates when it was divided into the Kasepuhan and Kanoman sultanates.

Among the heritage buildings still standing is Kasepuhan Palace, built in 1529, and Kanoman Palace, built in 1588.

Always said the Kasepuhan Palace represents the Cirebon (Islamic) influences as well as that of the Chinese (Buddhist) and Indian (Hindu).

The three cultures are manifested in the Singa Barong carriage, which was the official vehicle of the Kasepuhan Palace ruler.

The Singa Barong carriage was made in 1549 by Panembahan Losari, assisted by Ki Notoguna and Kaliwulu. The carvings on the horse-drawn carriage show a mixture of influences from three cultures.

“A mix of three cultures is represented by a three-pointed spear in an elephant’s trunk, meaning the unity of three human strengths — creation, emotion and intention,” Alwy said.

One of the buildings from the colonial era still standing is the Kesambi penitentiary, built around 1910.

Warehouse (1918) in Cirebon Port

“Other colonial period buildings include the Bank Indonesia building, the PT BAT cigarette factory and the Santo Joseph church,” Alwy said.

Alwy urged the central government to be involved in preserving the cultural heritage buildings.

“The government should undertake clear and concrete measures to protect these buildings.”