Revitalization Of Pasar Baru Supports Jakarta's Economy And Tourism

Pasar Baru yang sempat menjadi pusat perbelanjaan dan menjadi tempat wisata belanja kini mulai ditinggalkan. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - In an effort to boost the economy through the tourism sector, members of the Monitoring and Evaluation Team for the Acceleration of Development of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) for Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf), Aat Surya Safaat, support the big plan to make the New Market of Central Jakarta a tourism cultural heritage area.

"The revitalization of Pasar Baru is a strategic policy to improve the economy through international standard tourism," said Aat Surya Safaat when meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Market Retail Traders Association, IE Buharudin or familiarly called Ayung, at Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, Thursday 11 July.

Aat Surya Safaat, a senior journalist who received the "Press Card Number One" award from PWI, explained that Pasar Baru is a legendary shopping area with multi-ethnic charm and world-class culture. Pasar Baru, part of the Weltevreden area, was founded by Governor General W. Daendels in 1828.

At that time, the Governor-General transferred the status of the capital Batavia from Sunda Kelapa in West Jakarta to the Weltevreden area, which is now in the administrative area of Sawah Besar District, Menteng District, Gambir District, and Senen District in Central Jakarta.

"We will convey the aspirations of Pasar Baru traders to Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno to get special attention and positive responses," he said. Aat is optimistic that the revitalization according to the aspirations of traders will attract tourist visits, including from abroad. "We will oversee this aspiration from now on," he added.

Aat Surya Safaat was also appointed as a member of the Advisory Team of the New Market Retail Traders Association. The former Head of the ANTARA News Agency Bureau in New York (1993-1998) and the ANTARA Editor-in-Chief (2016) received books and videos containing New Market revitalization aspirations from Ayung.

The book, compiled by the Jakarta Weltevreden Foundation team together with the New Market Retail Traders Association, contains the aspirations of New Market revitalization. The chairman of the Jakarta Weltevreden Foundation, Toto Irianto, who was also present at the meeting, expressed his support for the preservation and utilization of the Weltevreden cultural heritage area. Pasar Baru became an international tourist destination.

According to Toto, Pasar Baru is an important part of the tourism industry. "Like an old well that can irrigate the life of the tourism industry," he said. Ayung hopes that stakeholders, including Minister Sandiaga Uno, will pay special attention to the proposed revitalization of Pasar Baru as stated in the books and videos.

"The current trade condition in Pasar Baru is very concerning. Road infrastructure damage is one of the causes of this chaos," said Ayung.

Pasar Baru was built by the Governor General Daendels as a complement to the capital Batavia. Around Lapangan Banteng, there is a government center building known as the Daendels Palace, as well as various other important facilities such as the Central Post Office, Gambir Station, Cathedral Church, Immanuel Church, Stovia College Institute, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Military Headquarters, Art Building, and Menteng-organized settlements.

In the era of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) under the leadership of Bung Karno, the government built the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, the Istiqlal Mosque, and the Medan Merdeka or Monas Park which were previously known as the IKADA Field. Around Medan Merdeka, the Gajah Museum building, the Prasasti Museum, Merdeka Palace, and the State Palace are also important historical witnesses.

Chairman of the Jakarta Weltevreden Foundation said that during the time of DKI Jakarta Governor Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Sutiyoso, Pasar Baru was designated as an international shopping tourism destination. Furthermore, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies R. Baswedan designated the Jalan Pasar Baru corridor as a cultural heritage site.

Currently, in addition to damaged road infrastructure, there are many areas around Pasar Baru where the Ciliwung River and pedestrians or sidewalks around Lapangan Banteng, Istiqlal, Cathedral, Immanuel, and the Arts Building look dirty and chaotic.