Ali Sadikin Allows TMII Development In Cempaka Putih In History Today, September 5, 1970

The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin, previously planned the construction of the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Cempaka Putih on September 5, 1970. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - History today, 52 years ago, September 5, 1970, DKI Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin gave permission for the construction of the Indonesia Indah Miniature Project in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta. The project, which was later known as the Indonesian Miniature Park (TMII), is planned to occupy 15 hectares of land.

However, Ali Sadikin and the owner of the plan for Siti Hartinah (Mrs. Tien) to change their minds. The 15-hectare land was deemed lacking. Therefore, the TMII establishment plan was directed to the Pondok Gede area, East Jakarta with a land area of more than 100 hectares.

The massive development of the capital city of Jakarta in the New Order (Orba) era was second to none. Suharto's big name was behind it. The initiation is often realized properly. However, the development of Jakarta is not only a footprint of The Smiling General.

His wife, Mrs. Tien, also added to the list of figures who contributed to the development of Jakarta. He is the initiator of the Indonesian Miniatures Project (now: TMII). He found this idea during a visit to the United States. He was attracted by the Disneyland playground.

The interest was followed up. He wanted to build a big park. A garden that is a bit different fromditho. Tien's mother not only plans a park with a recreational function, but also a lesson. So that people know Indonesian diversity, he thought.

The idea was rejected by all Indonesian people. The economic condition of Indonesia, which is in disarray, is the estuary. In particular, the idea was welcomed by the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin. He sees the development of TMII as part of Jakarta to beautify itself.

The question, among other things, is Mrs. Tien Suharto's statement, that the Taman Mini Project will cost Rp. 1.5 billion. It is considered by students and a number of community leaders of very luxurious plans. In fact, the criticism they expressed stated that it was a beacon project.

I saw it differently. When I had a dialogue with them, I explained that the plan to build a park like that had been in the Jakarta master plan for a long time. It was already a people's mandate. And I've seen something similar abroad, including in Bangkok, a miniature of Thailand, even in Bangkok it's small, very simple. I've seen it in Manila," recalls Ali Sadikin as written by Ramadhan KH in the book Bang Ali: For the sake of Jakarta: 1966-1977 (1992).

Ali Sadikin immediately received the idea of Mrs. Tien. He also expressed his support. In fact, Ali Sadikin issued a decision letter granting permission to the Harapan Kita Foundation to build TMII in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, on September 5, 1970.

The location chosen is near the center of the Jakarta government. The land provided reaches 14 hectares. However, after being reviewed, the land did not match the big idea of TMII. The area of 14 hectares was deemed lacking. Therefore, Ali Sadikin proposed the rebuilding of TMII to the Pondok Gede area, East Jakarta.

"The approval from the Governor of DKI is contained in the Decree of the Governor of the Special Regional Head of the Capital No. 1328/A/K/BKD/70 dated September 5, 1970 which gave permission to the Harapan Kita Foundation to build the Indonesian Miniature Project in the Cempaka Putih area, Central Jakarta. However, after reviewing the location covering an area of 14 hectares, the place was considered less extensive.

The governor proposed moving the location of the plan to the Pondok Gede area, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, which covers an area of approximately 100 hectares. For this reason, the Governor issued a new decree regarding the replacement of the location of the plan with a Decree of the Governor of KDKI no. 528/A/BKD/1972 on March 7, 1972," explained Ignatius Haryanto in the book Indonesia Raya Dibredel! (2006).