Government Prepares Heritage Routes and Stations for Cultural Tourism

JAKARTA - The government is preparing a number of heritage stations and old train lines to support cultural tourism. After Semarang Tawang Station, the next attention is directed to Bogor, Sawahlunto, Padang, to the Kota Station in Jakarta.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the revitalization of old stations is part of preserving the traces of Indonesian history and civilization.

This was conveyed by Fadli during an interview on the Kereta Nusantara Explorer on the way from Semarang to Jakarta, Thursday, July 30.

According to Fadli, Semarang Tawang Station has an important value because it has been operating since June 1, 1914. He said that the forerunner of the train in Indonesia actually started from Semarang, not Batavia or Jakarta.

"This train was built by the Dutch, it started from Semarang, not from Batavia, not from Jakarta," said Fadli.

Fadli said the spirit of revitalization is now also visible in KAI, BUMN, ministries, and other institutions. He gave an example of Lawang Sewu which has been revitalized.

After Tawang, Fadli said Bogor Station will be one of those worked on in the near future. Sawahlunto and Padang are also in the spotlight.

"Bogor, in the near future, and also in Sawahlunto, Padang," he said.

Fadli said KAI also plans to revive old routes that have existed. One of them is the Anai Valley area. However, this plan still needs to be studied because the area is prone to landslides.

He also said that old steam trains had the opportunity to be reactivated, including those related to the history of the initial train from Semarang and Sawahlunto.

For Jakarta, Fadli appointed the Kota Station in the Old City area as one of the important assets. In that area, many old buildings can be empowered again.

Fadli said several old buildings were also prepared to become thematic museums. The Jasa Raharja building in Old Town is planned to become a film museum. The Jiwasraya building on Jalan Asia Afrika, Bandung, will be turned into a music museum.

In the Old City of Semarang, the government is preparing a photography museum. In Surabaya, the government is designing an architecture museum.

"Well, we will implement the first phase of this at the beginning of this year," said Fadli.

According to Fadli, the revitalization of old buildings as much as possible restores the facade to its original form. In that way, historical value, architecture, and tourist attractions can emerge stronger.