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Weekly 5: PKI properties revisited
Sept
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S
ept. 30 this year will see the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of a tragic communist purge in 1965, in which at least 500,000 people were killed or went missing. The Indonesian Communist Party's (PKI) assets were subsequently confiscated and its buildings turned into government or military buildings. Historian and social activist Hilmar Farid tells the story of five important properties belonging to the party and its affiliated organizations that were confiscated or even torn down.
PKI CC office
The PKI central committee office located on Jl. Kramat Raya No. 81 in Central Jakarta was where the central executive discussed all important party matters.
'However, the building was under construction for expansion when the purge occurred,' Hilmar said, adding that the old office was just behind the building.
After the purge, the office was taken over by the government and became an office of tourism, post and telecommunications. 'The building was burned down during the riots in May 1998,' he said.
The site is now occupied by the Acacia Hotel.
Lekra Culture House
www.setiatdw.ac.id
According to Hilmar, the Institute of People's Culture (Lekra) office on Jl. Cidurian in Cikini, Central Jakarta, was actually a private property belonging to Oey Hai Djoen, a Lekra member and translator.
'After the purge, the house had several owners before being torn down and turned into the Tri Dharma Widya Economics School in the 1990s,' he said.
Lasya F. Susatyo and Abduh Azis made a documentary about the house, entitled Tjidurian 19; Rumah Budaya yang Terampas (Tjidurian 19; A Culture House Deprived).
The film explores the house's status as a cultural hub for artists from across the country, who would gather to talk, perform and work. The house was a hive of cultural activity, including musical and dance performances.
The documentary also features interviews with young Lekra artists who met great authors like Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Bakri Siregar, Rivai Apin and Utuy Tatang Sontani.
Lokasari People's Amusement Park
Lokasari People's Amusement Park on Jl. Mangga Besar in Tamansari, West Jakarta, was under construction when the purge occurred. 'It was to be a dedicated Lekra performance space,' Hilmar said.
Lokasari was known for its Betawi performance events in the 1990s. However, the area is now nightlife center with its bars, restaurants, hotels and spas.
The 5.4-hectare plot of land, once owned by the city administration, is now managed by two private entities.
Gerwani office
The Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerwani) was a woman's organization focusing on feminism and socialism, including marriage law reform and labor rights. The organization, which had more than 650,000 members, was affiliated with the PKI.
The headquarters of the organization was on Jl. Matraman Raya No. 51. Just like other buildings owned by the PKI and affiliated organizations, the building was confiscated following the purge.
Many Gerwani members who survived the violence and became political prisoners wanted the headquarters back to be turned into a nursing home for them, but their requests were to no avail.
Former members now live in the Waluyo Sejati Abadi nursing home on Jl. Kramat V, a building bought by Taufiq Kemas in 2003.
Hilmar added that homeowners including Pramoedya had been equally unsuccessful in their attempts to claim back their confiscated property, with ownership having been transferred to many people and entities through various complicated processes.
According to restoransederhana.id, today's Jl. Matraman Raya No. 51 is home to a branch of Padang restaurant chain Sederhana.
Railway Labor Union Headquarters
The Railway Labor Union (SBKA) was one of the biggest labor unions in Indonesia, formed between 1845 and 1947. The union had a large headquarters near Manggarai railway station in South Jakarta. 'It was also a venue for live performances,' Hilmar said.
He added that the property was now owned by the National Police.
