Henk NTung, Governor Of DKI Jakarta Who Was Directly Appointed By The President Of Indonesia

Henk Ntung (central) after being inaugurated as Governor of DKI Jakarta on October 22, 1964 with two representatives, Soewondo (left) and Satoto Hoepoediio. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The President of Indonesia once had a direct role in appointing the Governor of DKI Jakarta. The narrative lasts in the Old Order era. Bung Karno is behind it. He believes that the development of the State Capital (IKN) cannot be entrusted to just anyone.

Whoever leads Jakarta must get his blessing. Henk Hangung, for example. The figure of an artist who is close to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) he directly appointed as Governor of DKI Jakarta. His job is clear. Soekarno wants Henk to use his talent to beautify Jakarta.

Bung Karno's desire to make Jakarta a beacon of national civilization has been final. He wants Jakarta to be a pioneer in everything. From development and the economy. That desire made Big Brother often interfere in building Jakarta.

He wanted Jakarta to be built with a spirit of revolutional romanticism. The entire city began to build icons that sparked the spirit of nationality. An attempt to strengthen national identity. Bung Karno showed this effort by choosing a number of experts and artists to perpetuate his wish.

Development projects that became known as a lighthouse project were promoted. From statues, hotels, to parks. This power made Bung Karno not let just anyone lead Jakarta. He often actively chooses the regional head who leads Jakarta himself.

He wants Jakarta to be led under the correct control. Even then, all development must go through Bung Karno's blessing. The leader of his choice is required to be able to have high dedication in various fields.

Mainly, those who understand art. All because Bung Karno thinks Jakarta is like a canvas that is ready to be imagined and colored so that it has a style and neatness.

However, Soekarno has the greatest role in shaping Jakarta during this period. He has a vision for the City of Jakarta where part of this vision has been realized, both when he was still in power and after. In addition, he has built most of today's famous landmarks in Jakarta.

Some of them are the National Monument located in the middle of Jakarta, a towering obelics building whose peak is decorated with a gold-plated fire in the center of Jakarta; Hotel Indonesia, the country's first modern-grade hotel; Sarinah, the first medical center; Jakarta Bypass and the Semanggi Bridge, the first modern highway in Indonesia; all of this and many others are from Soekarno's heritage, said Susan Blackburn in the book Jakarta History 400 Years (2012).

Soekarno has a role in appointing the Governor of Jakarta directly. Something power that the next President of Indonesia does not have. However, that does not mean that Soekarno's choice always ends in success.

Several choices of Bung Karno from movement figures to politicians did not go smoothly. Bung Karno wants figures who can organize Jakarta, not just organize politics. The proclaimer tries to appoint the leader of Jakarta to the artist of the People's Culture Institute (Lekra) who is affiliated with the PKI. Hendrik Hermanus Joel Ndung, his name.

This figure has long been admired by Bung Karno. Bung Karno is also a collector from several of his paintings. The friendship between the two continues. Henk was often involved by Bung Karno as the Palace decoration committee -- State Palace and Independence" for various celebrations.

This closeness made Bung Karno want the artist to become the leader of Jakarta. He wants Jakarta to be equal to IKN in other big countries. The opportunity was also given. Instead of directly appointing Henk as the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Bung Karno actually placed Henk as the number two person in Jakarta.

Alias Henk was chosen as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta to accompany Soemarno Sosroatmodjo (1960-1964) from 1960. The appointment was so that Henk could learn a lot as a city planning expert. Henk began to be involved by Bung Karno in many ways.

He began to help Soekarno design several monuments in Jakarta. He perpetuated the actions with joy. Everything is in line with Bung Karno's expectations that the leader of Jakarta wants is someone who understands the arts.

As a result, Bung Karno appointed Henk to be the Governor of DKI Jakarta in 1964. Henk also acted according to Bung Karno's direction. He began to lay the important foundation of Jakarta as an orderly and beautiful capital city. Even though his leadership period is short.

When he was deputy governor, Henk began to beautify Jakarta. The need for Jakarta to have a fountain is his idea. He once put flower qualits on some of Thamrin's roads. At that time, the large flower pot was not in Jakarta. Henk uses a large QUalite that is usually used to cook soup. Henk also designed the Welcome Monument at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, which was then made by the custodian Edhi Sunarso.

Henk also designed the West Irian Liberation Statue. But, during his time as governor, because only a year, many of his ideas have not materialized. Jakarta must be led by someone who understands Bung Karno's thoughts and ideals about the capital city. That person must have an artistic spirit, creative ability, and be able to break old conventions, for the sake of developing new things," wrote Seno Joko Suyono and his friends in Tempo Magazine entitled The Excluded Governor's Story (2014).