H

eritage building activists in Semarang, Central Java, are urging the city administration to restore the former Red Sarekat Islam (SI) headquarters, or Balai Muslimin as it is known, which has become severely damaged due to a lack of proper maintenance.

Rukardi, one of the activists, said that restoring the building was necessary as it was a piece of history.

'We need to move fast before it's too late,' Rukardi said on Tuesday, adding that the building might have been neglected because the Red SI was pro-communism.

'The New Order regime was disturbed because the building was once used by leftists,' he said.

Located on Jl. Gendong in Sarirejo, East Semarang, the building's roof is falling apart and is prone to leaks during rainfall.

A picture of leftist leader Tan Malaka posing with his students in a book by Ruth McVey has been used as evidence to show that the building was indeed once the headquarters of Red SI. 'There is strong indication that the picture was taken in the building,' Rukardi said.

According to him, the picture was taken in the 1920s and shows architecture similar to that of the building.

Other indications include the initials 'SI' on the center of the building's floor. The initials were made of black tiles with yellow tiles in the background.

The building, which was the center of Red SI activities, is estimated to have been built in 1911'1916 by SI members on land donated by SI member Tasripin.

After the Sept. 30, 1965 coup attempt by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), the building was jointly managed by religious organizations. For decades, it was used for education and religious activities. The building was abandoned about five years ago as high costs prevented proper maintenance leading to structural decay.

Architect and urban expert Tjahjono Rahardjo of Soegijapranata University, said that heritage had to be treated equally regardless if 'it was a legacy of the Dutch colonial, indigenous people or communists'.

Separately, Acting Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi promised to trace down the ownership of the building before any restoration works began on the building.

'We need to know who owns the land first. If it turns out that it belongs to the city administration, then restoring the building will be easier,' he said.