Ali Sadikin
Encyclopedia
Ali Sadikin was an Indonesia
n politician
. He was often called Bang Ali. He served as the governor of Jakarta
, the country's capital, from 1966 to 1977. Appointed by a weak Sukarno
, he likely had the full approval of Suharto. A former marine, he saw the city as a battlefield. He sought to improve public services, clear out slum dwellers, ban rickshaws, and outlaw street peddlers. Sadikin's role in bulldozing poor areas of Jakarta was part of a long history of struggle over land use in the region Through legislation, Sadikin successfully wrested control over large amounts of poor housing. These areas he gave at minimal cost to developers such as the Jaya Group. For Abidin Kusno, Sadikin was part of a modernist program to attack irrationality, criminalize poverty, and create obedient national citizens. At the same time, he sought to kampung-ize city dwellers—to reinvest them with village sociality and mutual aid (gotong royong
).
Sadikin also tried to halt migration into Jakarta by declaring the city closed to newcomers. He issued residency cards in hope of enforcing the policy, but failed to curtail population growth. One of the earliest and most outspoken advocates of family planning
, Sadikin showed that Muslim groups would support these policies. Under Sadikin, Jakartan pilgrimage to Mecca and other holy places surged. Hungry for revenue for his projects, Sadikin legalized gambling and steambaths (de facto brothels), much to the outrage of many Muslim groups. Although Sadikin's restructuring of land in Jakarta displaced countless urban poor, he also advocated for the LBH, the Legal Aid Society; an organization which was used by both the private sector and the urban poor. After having allegedly "allowed" Golkar
to lose an election in Jakarta, Sadikin was removed from office. Despite Sadikin's heavy-handed urban reforms, he is often cited as a popular leader. In 1978, mass student protests embroiled the capital, and students nominated Sadikin as an alternative president.
In 1980, Sadikin helped found and lead the Petition of Fifty
, a group of powerful and highly influential critics of the New Order. He regularly hosted their meetings at his home. Though he remained a resolute statist in favor of militarism
, he opposed Suharto's consolidation of power in the government and military (ABRI). It is likely that Sadikin's stature and popularity both bolstered the Petition of Fifty and helped to shield it from more severe repression.
Sadikin died in Singapore
on 20 May 2008.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was often called Bang Ali. He served as the governor of Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, the country's capital, from 1966 to 1977. Appointed by a weak Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
, he likely had the full approval of Suharto. A former marine, he saw the city as a battlefield. He sought to improve public services, clear out slum dwellers, ban rickshaws, and outlaw street peddlers. Sadikin's role in bulldozing poor areas of Jakarta was part of a long history of struggle over land use in the region Through legislation, Sadikin successfully wrested control over large amounts of poor housing. These areas he gave at minimal cost to developers such as the Jaya Group. For Abidin Kusno, Sadikin was part of a modernist program to attack irrationality, criminalize poverty, and create obedient national citizens. At the same time, he sought to kampung-ize city dwellers—to reinvest them with village sociality and mutual aid (gotong royong
Gotong royong
Gotong-royong is a conception of sociality familiar to large parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. The phrase has been translated into English in many ways, most of which harken to the conception of reciprocity or mutual aid. For M. Nasroen, gotong royong forms one of the core tenets of Indonesian...
).
Sadikin also tried to halt migration into Jakarta by declaring the city closed to newcomers. He issued residency cards in hope of enforcing the policy, but failed to curtail population growth. One of the earliest and most outspoken advocates of family planning
Family planning
Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and...
, Sadikin showed that Muslim groups would support these policies. Under Sadikin, Jakartan pilgrimage to Mecca and other holy places surged. Hungry for revenue for his projects, Sadikin legalized gambling and steambaths (de facto brothels), much to the outrage of many Muslim groups. Although Sadikin's restructuring of land in Jakarta displaced countless urban poor, he also advocated for the LBH, the Legal Aid Society; an organization which was used by both the private sector and the urban poor. After having allegedly "allowed" Golkar
Golkar
The Party of the Functional Groups is a political party in Indonesia. It is also known as Sekber Golkar . It was the ruling party during Suharto's regime...
to lose an election in Jakarta, Sadikin was removed from office. Despite Sadikin's heavy-handed urban reforms, he is often cited as a popular leader. In 1978, mass student protests embroiled the capital, and students nominated Sadikin as an alternative president.
In 1980, Sadikin helped found and lead the Petition of Fifty
Petition of Fifty
The Petition of Fifty was a document protesting then President Suharto's use of state philosophy Pancasila against political opponents. Issued on 5 May 1980 as an "Expression of Concern", it was signed by fifty prominent Indonesians including former Army Chief of Staff Nasution, former Jakarta...
, a group of powerful and highly influential critics of the New Order. He regularly hosted their meetings at his home. Though he remained a resolute statist in favor of militarism
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
, he opposed Suharto's consolidation of power in the government and military (ABRI). It is likely that Sadikin's stature and popularity both bolstered the Petition of Fifty and helped to shield it from more severe repression.
Sadikin died in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
on 20 May 2008.
External links
Books written by Sadikin
- Bang Ali Edemi Jakarta (1966-1977): Memoar (Indonesian) by Ali Sadikin, Ramadhan K. H., Jakarta Raya (Indonesia) Pustaka Sinar Harapan. 1992.
- Tantangan Demokrasi (Indonesian) by Ali Sadikin. Pustaka Sinar Harapan. 1995.
- Pers Bertanya, Bang Ali Menjawab (Indonesian) by Ali Sadikin, Ramadhan K. H. Pustaka Jaya. 1995.