Ereveld Menteng Pulo: A Historical & Horror Recreation of a Skyscraper
reported: Liu Setiawan
Jakarta, September 1, 2024/Indonesia Media – Agus Setiawan (56) admitted to being confused when asked about the joys and sorrows of being an officer/guide at the Netherlands Field of Honour located in the Menteng Pulo area, South Jakarta. He has worked at the Cemetery since 1998, when the monetary crisis hit Indonesia, he was laid off (termination of employment) in early 1998. Finally, he accepted the offer to maintain cleanliness at the Cemetery until now. “I don’t know what the joys and sorrows are (of working at the Cemetery). But at night, when on duty, I definitely feel bored. I have worked at the Cemetery for 26 years,” Agus told the editorial team.
The Dutch Honorary Cemetery or Ereveld Menteng Pulo was built in 1942 when Indonesia was still the Dutch East Indies. Around 300,000 Dutch and Indo-Dutch people settled in the country which was then a Dutch colony. In January 1942, the Japanese army attacked the Dutch East Indies with the aim of obtaining the natural resources contained in this country. During the Japanese occupation, Dutch civilians were held in Japanese concentration camps and prisoners of war were used as forced laborers, including for the construction of the Burma-Siam railway.
He guides visitors, and can explain at length including the family tree of the “inhabitants” of the tomb. Every time there is a visitor, he always greets them and asks if they are looking for their family members. But if the visitor is just “recreating”, he is also willing to guide them. Because in addition to the old church building, there is also a “house of ashes” for members of the KNIL (a separate military force specifically formed to serve in the Dutch East Indies). He even explains various unique things, starting from typical Dutch architecture, ornaments, history, genealogy and so on. One of the very unique ornaments on the roof of the “house of ashes” or columbarium is a symbol of the philosophy/meaning/concept of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, China and so on. The columbarium is adjacent to the church, which stores 754 urns of ashes arranged in a row. “(The architecture) of the roof is shingles, a roof made of wood pieces,” said Agus while pointing towards the roof of the ‘house of ashes’ of the tomb.
He invited visitors to enter the Simultan Church or Simultaankerk . This building is not only used as a church but also a place for commemorative events and ceremonies for all religions. This building is also decorated with symbols of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism on the church tower. “The podium and the Cross are also made of wood, former railway sleepers in Burma – Siam. Most of the interior materials are made of teak wood,” said Agus.
Simultan Church can be used for all pilgrims, to pray from various religions. For that, the design of this church in the corners there are religious symbols including Islam, Chinese, Jewish. The symbol of Chinese philosophy, namely Yin-Yang (the nature of the interconnected and opposing forces in this world and how they build each other) side by side with the crescent moon and star as a symbol of the glory of Islam. Yin-Yang, Crescent Moon and Star are also side by side with the Star of David or Shield of David or a symbol that is very commonly used as a sign of Jewish identity and the Jewish religion. “Even the graves of Jews who are members of the KNIL are next to those of Muslims, Chinese. Incidentally, the KNIL member of Chinese descent is Buddhist, his name is Kwee Sie Bah. On the tombstone, under the name of the “occupant of the tomb” it is always written SLD which means soldier or soldier,” said Agus.
According to him, a few days ago there was a grandson of one of the “residents of the ash house” in the Cemetery. He had knelt down and prayed in front of the box/urn of his deceased ancestor’s ashes. His grandson also placed a small wreath in front of the box/urn of ashes. “He (the grandson of the deceased) came from the Netherlands, maybe on vacation in Indonesia, while on pilgrimage,” said Agus.
The tomb is also very well maintained with green plants around it, so the atmosphere is beautiful and shady. While around it, there are skyscrapers including the Puri Casablanca apartment, Kota Kasablanka Mall, Pakuwon Office Tower. “However, because the buildings, especially the apartments, are adjacent to the tomb, there must be … horror stories. But we (guides at the tomb) don’t want to tell those (horror) stories, because they touch on the world of superstition, tend to make (visitors) afraid of spirits. In fact, many people including history lovers, students who like to go on recreation around this Dutch tomb,” said Agus.
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