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Fisherfolk barred from reclaimed islet during Independence Day celebrations
Despite the Jakarta administration’s intention to demonstrate that the reclaimed islets in Jakarta Bay are an inclusive space, the celebrations of Indonesia’s 74th Independence Day held on Maju Beach, also known as islet D, on Saturday saw a number of local fisherfolk being barred from entering
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span>Despite the Jakarta administration’s intention to demonstrate that the reclaimed islets in Jakarta Bay are an inclusive space, the celebrations of Indonesia’s 74th Independence Day held on Maju Beach, also known as islet D, on Saturday saw a number of local fisherfolk being barred from entering.
The fisherfolk had tried to drop anchor near the venue of the ceremony but were driven away by Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officials, Antara reported on Saturday.
“Move, move. Bapak [Anies] will inspect here,” the officers are reported to have said.
However, the agency’s head, Arifin, has denied the incident took place.
“I checked the beach before the ceremony took place. There was no ejection,” he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan previously said the flag hoisting ceremony that is usually held at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, would be moved to the reclaimed islet to symbolize that the land belonged to Indonesia and was open for everybody.
“The reclaimed islets are known to be closed areas, even the media cannot go there. [The islets are] closely guarded, as if they are privately owned. We want to change that. They belong to the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
“That’s why we want to hold a flag-hoisting ceremony there as a symbol that they are part of our homeland, the soil lies underneath the waving Indonesian flag,” he added.
Four of the 17 initially planned man-made islets have been built, with fisherfolk arguing the projects have come at a cost to their livelihoods. However, even Anies, who has been a vocal opponent of the projects, could do nothing about the existing islets, deciding instead to hand over the management of the completed islets to city-owned property developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro).
In June, 932 building permits (IMB) on Islet C and D, called Pantai Maju and Pantai Kita, were issued, while principle permits for 13 other planned artificial islets were voided.
In his speech during the Independence Day ceremony, Anies urged all Jakartans to maintain unity as the capital had long been an example of harmony in Indonesia. He thanked the Betawi people for opening their arms to visitors.
“It has made Jakarta a friendly city for everyone,” he said.
The city administration also invited Jakartans to enjoy Independence Day festivities in the evening by visiting the Festival of Lights at Monas.
From Aug. 15 to 25, the area around Monas will be decorated with lanterns of various shapes that depict national heroes like Sudirman, Prince Jayakarta and the country’s first president and vice president, Sukarno and Mohamad Hatta. Live music and laser shows are also a feature of the festival, which is free to visit.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland Park) in North Jakarta also took part in Independence Day celebrations with various events. On Saturday morning, several divers participated in an underwater flag-raising ceremony inside a 6-meter-deep aquarium at Sea World.
Ancol Dreamland Park management also held a colossal panjat pinang (pole climbing) competition for visitors and locals. As many as 175 poles were installed at Karnaval Beach. Hundreds of people tried their luck at winning the prizes that were placed at the top of the poles, such as bicycles, bags and even water dispensers.
Ocean Dream Samudra, located inside the park complex, also staged a special play titled Benteng Perjuangan (Fortress of Struggle) that narrated the struggles faced by the people of Batavia — a former name for Jakarta — during the Dutch colonial era.
Competitions also enlivened Independence Day in residential areas with locals, especially children, participating in traditional games such as sack races, makan kerupuk (cracker eating competitions) and panjat pinang.
In Kalideres, West Jakarta, community units (RW) held a gapura (gateway) decoration contest in their respective neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Pondok Indah Mall (PIM) in South Jakarta and Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta hosted culinary festivals aimed at introducing traditional dishes from across Indonesia to younger generations from Aug. 7 to 18.
The Joglosemar Culinary Party at PIM featured 40 food stalls serving different cuisines from Yogyakarta and Semarang and Surakarta in Central Java. While Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta hosted the Kampoeng Legenda (Legendary Kampung) culinary festival, serving a total of 80 dishes that have been passed down over many generations.
Some restaurants in Jakarta also offered special deals to customers to commemorate Independence Day.
State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) also joined in the celebrations on Saturday by decorating eight trains in the colors of the national flag, according to Antara. Officials at Gambir Station in Central Jakarta also read out the Proclamation of Independence with passengers encouraged to sing Indonesia’s national anthem, “Indonesia Raya”, while on board, tribunnews.com reported. (nal)
