Designated As Cultural Heritage But Soekarno's Temporary House In Padang Was Demolished, BPHN Urges Legal Action

Illustration. The birth home of the 1st President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno or Bung Karno in Surabaya, East Java. (ANTARA-HO-Diskominfo Surabaya)

JAKARTA - Soekarno's Temporary House on Ahmad Yani Street, Padang City, West Sumatra, was torn down. The National Legal Development Agency (BPHN) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is pushing for legal remedies related to the demolition.

BPHN Head Widodo Ekatjahjana said the Bung Karno Shelter House had previously been designated as a cultural heritage by the Mayor of Padang.

"If this is an unlawful act, it must be processed according to the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations," he said in a written statement, Monday 20 February, as reported by Antara.

Widodo continued, the designated cultural heritage was named Rumah Ema Idham. This was stated in the Mayor's Decree of the Head of the Level II Region of Padang Number 03 of 1998 concerning the Determination of Cultural Heritage Buildings and Historical Areas in the Municipality of Padang.

Unfortunately, said Widodo, the cultural heritage shelter has now been razed to the ground due to the lack of awareness and compliance with community laws regarding the protection of cultural heritage. BPHN regrets and admits that they are concerned that the Bung Karno Temporary House has been destroyed.

He said, if there is no legal action, then this will set a bad precedent for other cultural heritage protections that have been set by the government.

"BPHN fully supports the steps taken by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Mr. Nadiem Makarim," he said.

He acknowledged that community awareness and legal compliance are still a big job, including awareness to help maintain and protect the existence of cultural heritage.

Widodo hopes that all parties will take firm legal steps, as has been done by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The city government and local law enforcement officials must immediately take legal steps in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations.