T

he demolition of heritage buildings in Medan, North Sumatra, continues as the Pension Wilhelmina building on Jl. Veteran, built during the Dutch colonial era, becomes the latest victim.

The historical building, heritage of the Dutch queen in 1929, that was once used as the headquarters of the Netherlands Indies Civil Administratie (NICA) and its allies has been leveled to the ground with just its plaque left as a reminder at the site.

'€œToo many historical buildings in Medan have been torn down. Eventually, the historical city will no longer have historical buildings that residents can look to and be proud of. If the government does not pay attention to them or intentionally neglects them, this is inevitable,'€ Medan State University historian Eron Damanik told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Eron said Pension Wilhelmina, Hotel Wilhelmina in English, was transformed into a hotel by Queen Wilhelmina who had used it as a retreat whenever she visited Medan.

An inscription at the building explains that the Pension Wilhelmina building had been the headquarters of NICA from Oct. 10, 1945.

But three days later, the NICA headquarters had been battered by Medan youth freedom fighters after a NICA soldier had removed the red-and-white badge of a teenager passing in front of the headquarters and stomped on it.

Seven young men were killed in the attack, while seven NICA soldiers were killed and 96 staff members injured.

'€œThe attack was later known as the Battle of Medan. So, Pension Wilhelmina is a heritage building that has a part in the memory of the independence war,'€ Eron said.

He said that after the Battle of Medan in 1949, Pension Wilhelmina was neglected. Then, in the 1950s, it was purchased by an individual.

'€œIn 1974, the owner of Pension Wilhelmina converted it into the Hotel Belinun and now it has been demolished,'€ said Eron, adding that, lately, Hotel Belinun had developed a negative image as a brothel.

Eron learned that Pension Wilhelmina ownership had changed hands to a third party and has been demolished to make way for a luxury hotel.

Medan Tourism Office acting head Hasan Basri acknowledged that he had yet to receive a report on the demolition of Pension Wilhelmina. However, he said his office had formed an integrated team to make an inventory list of the historical buildings in Medan to be designated as heritage sites.

The team, Hasan added, consists of several agencies, such as the Spatial Planning and Building Agency and the Medan Development Planning Board. He said the team would hold a meeting on Feb. 20.

'€œAt the meeting, everything thing will be discussed, including the presence of Pension Wilhelmina,'€ said Hasan, claiming his office wished to maintain heritage sites in a sustainable manner.

Earlier, historians and activists have deplored the demolition of eight historical buildings in Medan.