Governor Ali Sadikin And Nightlife In DKI Jakarta

The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin, together with a number of famous artists from the capital city. (Instagram@perfectlifeid)

JAKARTA - Efforts to 'beautify' Jakarta is impossible. Moreover, changing the image of Jakarta from The Big Village to a metropolitan. The condition of the newly independent Indonesia became the estuary. Funds to develop Jakarta are small – if not small. Whoever is the governor is predicted to be in trouble. However, Ali Sadikin broke the myth. The breakthrough after the breakthrough perpetuated. Opened up the hall where many night entertainment, for example. Therefore, Jakarta is able to become better and more feasible.

Een natie left niet van brood alleen (one nation does not only live on bread). The Dutch proverb was revealed by Bung Karno when he appointed Ali Sadikin as the number one person in Jakarta in 1966. The man who is familiarly called Bang Ali was "told" by Bung Karno that a great nation does not only support its people with bread alone.

In this case, people can be full, then the next day hungry again. It's different to change the face of Jakarta. His changes will be remembered forever. So are the people behind it. Bung Karno said that the initiator of the breakthrough will be remembered for all time. After that, Bung Karno sincerely asked Bang Ali to immediately work to change the face of Jakarta.

Bung Karno's mandate was used as a guide for Bang Ali in making decisions and acting. His first days as Governor of DKI Jakarta were maximized to map out the problems of the capital city. He perpetuates blusukan to various places in Jakarta. Sometimes, the activity is done alone.

Tanamur Discotheque in the Tanah Abang area, the first discotheque in Jakarta, the fruit of Ali Sadikin's policy as the Governor of DKI Jakarta from 1966-1977. (Instagram@pipotahir)

He also began to realize that many areas in Jakarta looked slum. The road is full of potholes and dusty. He was annoyed and angry. Especially when the general public calls Jakarta the most unlucky capital city in the world.

Bang Ali began to dig into the problem. He saw that the budget given to Jakarta was too small. It ranges from Rp. 65 million, although it was later added to Rp. 266 million. Inevitably a new breakthrough is needed to increase the regional treasury. Legalize gambling and prostitution, especially. In fact, the tactic paid off. DKI Jakarta's treasury is maintained. In fact, many times the original amount.

"There are no funds to finance development, no problem. He did not hesitate to allow Chinese citizens to gamble openly, and from the lottery and siah-hwee took funds to finance the construction of elementary schools, health centers, and others. At the beginning of his tenure, Bang Ali reminded people of the mayors in America at the time of President Franklin Roosevelt, such as Fiorello H. La Guardia, Mayor of New York, 1934-1945, who was given the nickname People's Mayor or Mayor of the People.

“Like that figure, Bang Ali managed Jakarta successfully. Because he is a good listener, listens carefully to what people say. He applies management by teamwork. Must work together by not forgetting who is the commander. In the end, it is Bang Ali who is responsible,” said Rosihan Anwar in the book “Petite Histoire” Indonesia Small History Volume 3 (2008).

Evening entertainment

The breakthrough made by Ali Sadikin for Jakarta is huge. Bang Ali doesn't have time to pretend. He perpetuates all reasonable means to build Jakarta. During that period, Bang Ali also gave his blessing to perpetuate the dominance of the nightlife scene in Jakarta.

A number of restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, and massage parlors have sprung up. Some of the nightclubs are under the direct guidance of the DKI Jakarta Tourism Directorate. Night Club Tropicana, for example.

This business has become Jakarta's pocket of income. Many people also feel the benefits. These include businessmen, visitors, and the government. This advantage makes Bang Ali even more approving of all kinds of businesses that support the fame of the nightlife in DKI Jakarta.

Visitors to the 108 Club formerly known as Illegals in the Jl. Hayam Wuruk as the center of nightlife in Jakarta today. (jakarta100bars.com)

All that because the income from the night entertainment sector is not kidding. Bang Ali was able to build many public facilities because of it. Take, for example, the field of education. Bang Ali was able to build 200 school buildings. In fact, that number is more than the schools established during the previous 20 years.

“A few of Ali Sadikin's actions illustrate his unconventional approach to dealing with chaos in Jakarta. He legalized gambling by freeing it from the power of bandits and imposing taxes to pay for repairs to roads, schools and other facilities. He stimulated the establishment of nightclubs and massage parlors, even though Islamic leaders protested and imposed taxes.”

“Nothing better describes Ali Sadikin's frankness than the way he dealt with Islam's criticism of his immoral taxation to increase the city's income. Not once did he give funds to Islamic leaders to build mosques and honestly said that the money came from taxes on gambling and other immorality. The gift is always accepted,” wrote the bulletin The Indonesian Letter as quoted in Ali Sadikin's book: Displacing and Building (1977).