TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Happy 77th anniversary of Indonesian independence. After enjoying the sack races, chip-eating and climbing greasy poles, you can read the Tempo English Independence Day special edition with its fascinating coverage of Ali Sadikin. The governor of Jakarta from 1966 to 1977 was extremely popular because through his strong leadership, he transformed the formerly impoverished Jakarta into a shining city.

The Jakarta that he built is to be abandoned because the capital will be moved to East Kalimantan. The center of government and the economy will move there, according to the State Capital City Law. The failure of governors of Jakarta that came after him has left the city in a chaotic and disorganized state.

In June, Tempo established a team to reexamine the biography of Ali Sadikin. It was not easy writing the story of this popular figure. Information was scattered around various books and publications. But in tracing his story through meetings with sources—family members, friends, members of the public, journalists and those who had met him—we discovered previously unknown information and interesting facets about the legendary Ali Sadikin.

Ali Sadikin understood that Jakarta would face environmental problems in the future. Lying below sea level at the mouth of 13 rivers, the city he would build would be a metropolitan one. Therefore, he protected it by declaring that 37.5 percent of the total 66,000 hectares of Jakarta was to be set aside for open green spaces to prevent flooding and to stop pollution damaging people’s health.

Ali wanted to develop Jakarta with a greenbelt, an area with trees that would function as a water catchment area. He also beautified its dilapidated kampung neighborhoods where the majority of Jakartans lived in the hope of narrowing the social divide between rich and poor. Ali even established public entertainment centers and places for artists together such as Taman Ismail Marzuki.

But there was not enough money. This was just after the political violence of 1965. Therefore, he turned his attention to gambling and nightlife. He legalized two things that supported the life of the city, then collected taxes to be used for development. Not everybody was happy. Ali was criticized for being amoral. He carried on. For Ali, prostitution and gambling were primitive activities that existed everywhere. He chose to regulate them so they would provide benefits rather than banning them and forcing them underground, which would lead to increased costs for law enforcement.

Today we need to take another look at Ali. He was a complete leader who was controversial. Ali was firm but not opposed to criticism. He embraced and sided with ordinary people, but he was unable to avoid evictions in order to develop Jakarta. Ali was a leader who trusted in democracy and humanity. He was a governor of Jakarta for the ages. Enjoy the magazine.

Stefanus Pramono

Managing Editor

Independence Day Special Edition

Ali’s Legacy for Jakarta

Why Ali Sadikin? He was a governor who transcended time, who became an anomaly among New Order officials.

A Hollywood-Style Marine Officer

When Ali was serving in the Navy, he fought in a number of battlefields. He was often described as fighting like Rambo.

A Legacy Destroyed

In Ali’s time, Jakarta was designed in order to avoid flooding. But this was ruined by his successors.

Sinful Governor and Helicopters for Ulemas

Ali Sadikin came up against the ulemas because he used taxes from gambling to develop Jakarta. He admitted that gambling was haram.

A Benefactor to the End

Ali Sadikin helped establish the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation. He did not want poor people in Jakarta to be ignored by the law. He often found himself in court.

The Hero of Press Freedom

A supporter of the establishment of Tempo, Ali Sadikin was not afraid of the press. He asked the media to criticize his policies.

Opressed Petition

Ali Sadikin not only built Jakarta, but was also a democracy activist. He was not afraid of opposing the New Order government.

LAW

Gun Powder on Ferdy Sambo’s Gloves

New facts indicate that Ferdy Sambo ordered the murder of Brig. Yosua. He is allegedly involved in the execution.

ECONOMY

Coal Supply Crisis

The coal supply for steam power plants is depleting. Mining companies refuse to supply them at domestic prices.