Ahok Bans Ondel-ondel Mengamen On Jakarta Streets In Today's Memory, October 1, 2014

Ondel-ondel, who buskered on the streets of Jakarta, was brought under control by the Satpol PP. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 10 years ago, October 1, 2014, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) banned the Betawi ondel-ondel art from being brought to busking / begging by a handful of people on the streets of the capital city. He revealed that the ban was because beggars who used the ondel-ondel medium were looking for money could harm them.

Previously, ondel-ondel was a Betawi art which was believed to have a balance repulsive function. The big doll was paraded around the village and got a percent. Later ondel-ondel busking on the streets to get pros and cons.

Ondel-ondel is an important icon of the city of Jakarta. In the past, the presence of ondel-ondel served as a turnover of reinforcements. Whenever a disease outbreak arrives, surely ondel-ondel will be paraded around the village. However, at that time his name was not yet known as ondel-ondel. People know him as a barongan.

He looks scary and not as cheerful as he is today. Ondel-ondel had to be paraded by a pair. Recently, the presence of ondel-ondel busking on the streets of Jakarta has a pros and cons. Those who pro considered ondel-ondel were indeed traveling because of their function as bala rejection.

Those who counter-disclosure that ondel-ondel busking are considered to have humiliated Betawi culture and art. The degrading phrase is considered because ondel-ondel is not paraded properly. Those who make ondel-ondel to beg are considered only to be concerned with money matters.

Not to cultural preservation. The proof is that many carry only one pair of ondel-ondel, aka incomplete. The criticism continues to be made many times. Meanwhile, those who earn sustenance through ondel-ondel continue to be present and spread throughout the streets of Jakarta.

The DKI Jakarta Social Service is moving fast. They do not want the ondel-ondel to busker on the streets. Raids for people with social welfare problems (PMKS) are often carried out. Those who have an Jakarta ID card will be handed over to the kelurahan to be fostered. Those who do not have an ID card will be sent back to their area of origin.

"We hope that when they return to their area of origin they can meet again with their families and build their villages. Patrols every day, whether carried out by an outreach team from elements of the Department and the Social Service Sub-Department. This has directly educated the public to be lazy and always depends on others' lives," said the Head of the DKI Jakarta Social Service, Masrokhan as quoted on the tempo.co page, September 22, 2014.

The ondel-ondel phenomenon made the Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta concerned. He could not express his sadness when he saw Jakarta's art milling about begging on the streets of Jakarta. Ahok took a stand.

He firmly forbade ondel-ondel from busking on the streets of Jakarta on October 1, 2014. Ahok revealed that it was not the ondel-ondel that became a problem. However, beggars use it to make money.

Ahok considered this condition to be able to make many street users and beggars themselves. What is certain is that Ahok will prohibit beggars in Jakarta regardless of their clothes, including using the ondel-ondel medium.

"If it gets hit, how about it. It's terrible if the person dies, we'll be told not to pay attention. We don't forbid any ondel-ondel and we still prohibit beggars, wear any clothes."

"After we arrest them and have a DKI ID card, we will hand them over to their village head. However, if they are from outside DKI, we will return them to their village and give them an agreement letter," Ahok said as quoted on the business.com page, October 1, 2014.