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Issues: `Semarang's old city: Reminder of glories'

Semarang, one of the oldest cities in the country, was the place of residence for a Dutch provincial governor in colonial times

The Jakarta Post
Fri, April 3, 2009

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Issues: `Semarang's old city: Reminder of glories'

Semarang, one of the oldest cities in the country, was the place of residence for a Dutch provincial governor in colonial times. As the provincial capital of Central Java, with a very active port, it grew into a major city busy with trade and administrative importance.

The city's commercial and administrative significance required a level of infrastructure that could support its role. This led to the development of what is now the "old city" of Semarang and its impressive buildings. Although many of these buildings are left now neglected and wasting away, they still remind us of the former glories of this city.

Your comments:

No history - no future. These buildings are a part of our history and should be used and protected. There should be no problem with this, just look at places in India and in Singapore and you can see colonial buildings that are used, respected and protected.

Why can't we do the same? No reason why not.

Jadal

Better to knock these old buildings down and give the city a better chance. They are falling down and are useless; they serve only as a reminder that the Dutch used Indonesia just to make money.

Endah

Don't knock them down. The Dutch used Indonesia to make money; we should now make money back from the properties they built. Our government should take action now.

Wandy

What is happening with the old city of Semarang is indeed terrible. I hope the Semarang government understands that if they wish to have more (foreign) visitors, they have to preserve their historical sites, because tourists want to see the history of Semarang, not new shopping malls. They have enough malls in their own country.

They like to sniff out the rich history, see old buildings. They have an image of old cities in Asia and they want to see and experience them. Semarang is lucky in that it still has so many historical building.

Please, municipality of Semarang, take care of your history not only for your children and grandchildren, but also for the income it can generate when (foreign) visitors come to Semarang.

J.A. Oltmans

Amsterdam

Use it before you lose it! Nobody really cares about the his-tory of these buildings, but with the right development, I am sure the old town could be a tourist attraction.

Adie

Jepara, Central Java

Semarang is the most neglected, but the most beautiful city in Java. The potential for restoration is huge.

I hope someone who has the vision for the future and the financial means will take on the challenge and rescue Semarang's beauty before it is too late.

Tinka

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