Gateway to RI`s Chinese history opens debate

Jakarta - What does it mean to be a "Chinese Indonesian"? Who are they? What journey did they take to become part of the nation? What contributions have they made to this country?

These are some of the questions awaiting answers as the Chinese-Indonesian Cultural Park is being constructed at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta.

The brains behind the 4.5-hectare park decided to hire foreign nationals to design it. Their choice: a team of Chinese architecture consultants employed by the municipality of Xiamen in Fujian province in China.

Their decision has sparked a debate over whether the park will be able to supply a complete picture of the diverse Chinese-Indonesian culture.

Chinese Indonesians are generally categorized into two major groups, the peranakan and the totok. Peranakan people, to put it simply, have blended Chinese culture with the local culture. Totok, on the other hand, tend to be more purist Chinese. Most Chinese Indonesians are peranakan.

"Local architects who understand the history of Chinese peranakan should have been engaged at the design stage," architecture professor at the University of Indonesia, Gunawan Tjahjono, told The Jakarta Post recently.

"The way I see it, those behind the construction must be ignorant.

"If they are not ignorant, why would they unconditionally accept a design from a Xiamen mayor, when there are many historians here who understand better what has really happened in the lives of Chinese Indonesians?" Gunawan said.

He said to acknowledge the various features of peranakan architecture, it would be necessary to study where the people had come from, the regulations that applied and the environment they encountered at the time of construction.

From an architectural point of view, he said he doubted the park could reflect the peranakan culture because it could only present an image of Chinese culture far from home.

Aimee Dawis, a researcher on Chinese culture and identity in Indonesia, said the use of Chinese architects did not detract from the design.

"Although we‘re using Xiamen architects, as far as I know the content will be about Chinese peranakan in Indonesia.

"I think this is more of a mix (of culture) in nature. And as long as it is enriching multiculturalism, that‘s positive," she said.

The park will include a seven-level pagoda, a colossal hall, a pavilion overlooking a lake, rows of shop-houses and a spacious courtyard, as well as a 12-meter-high and 24-meter-wide entrance gate with a lion statue on each side.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Social Association (PSMTI), Tedy Yusuf, who submitted the park proposal in 2002, said, "There is a difference between the designs of the structures and their contents.

"All of these architectural structures will contain exhibits relating to the history of Chinese people in Indonesia and their contributions to the nation."

One building will function as a museum, exhibiting photographs of Chinese Indonesians participating in building the nation, such as those who were members of the Board for Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI) as well as badminton heroes such as Tan Joe Hok.

"Chinese Malay works of literature will be collected in the library, and artworks such as musical instruments will be on display in the theater building," he said.

"Chinese Indonesians will also be able to hold their wedding ceremonies here."

Tedy insisted there was no Chinese Indonesian with the skills or knowledge to design authentic Chinese architecture.

"Since TMII was established, 33 years ago, its principle has always been to portray the most authentic structural designs of the ethnic group displayed," he said.

"We have to be extreme in portraying it (Chinese architecture) because the whole idea of TMII is to preserve the original culture of the ethnic groups in Indonesia."

When asked if influences on Chinese architecture by other cultures during the Dutch colonial era would be represented in the park, he said, "Peranakan, who oriented themselves toward Europe, built Dutch homes. What‘s so unique about that?"

"That‘s not our culture. That‘s politics. Chinese people built Dutch houses because they wanted to be regarded as equal to the Dutch," Tedy said, adding that during the colonial era, the Chinese were considered second-class citizens, whereas the Dutch were considered first-class citizens.

During the Dutch colonial era, Chinese Indonesians were divided into three groups based on nationalistic views and tendencies: those inclined toward the Dutch, those inclined toward mainland China and those inclined toward the local inhabitants of the Dutch East Indies.

He said the only historic structure representing the unique features of authentic Chinese architecture was Candranaya, on Jl. Gajah Mada, West Jakarta, which belonged to onetime resident Khouw Kim An.

Architect Gunawan said Candranaya represents Fujianese sheheyuan, or typical houses of ordinary Chinese people of the Han or Tang dynasties.

Gunawan said there were many similar historic structures in Lasem, Central Java, which show the phenomenon of acculturation.

But Tedy said the park design had been finalized, because the blueprint had been approved in 2004 by former president Soeharto, then chairman of Yayasan Harapan Kita, which managed TMII.

"He (Soeharto) knew what was best," Tedy said.

"Besides, if we had consulted too widely with Chinese Indonesians, the project would never have got off the ground."

He urged all Chinese Indonesians to support the construction and to believe they also owned the park, which will become state property.

"My organization is only the executor of the construction project. We are not the park owners."

Construction of the park, which began in 2007, is currently creeping along because of a lack of funding. So far, only a gate has been built.

Chinese-Indonesian Hendriawan Subali, 61, recently visited the site with his family.

"I agree we need to display original Chinese architecture from the mainland as a symbol," he said.

"The main building must be authentic Chinese, but the rest of the structures should also show examples of acculturation," Hendriawan said.

Another visitor, Chintya, 17, said she wished to see real Chinese culture in the park.

"So those who can‘t go to the country of origin, China, can get an idea of it."

Another young visitor, Chandra, 19, said she hoped the park would not be just piles of buildings.

"It should have fun activities, like a place to practice wushu or barongsai (lion dance)."

And 30-something Eddy Tandiono from North Jakarta, gazing at the 12-meter-high entrance gate, said only: "Nice. Nice. It‘s looks like the set of a kung fu movie."

Source: old.thejakartapost.com - Agnes Winarti (28 Mei 2008)
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