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Among the belch and rumble of Kota Tua’s buses and cries of vendors selling traditional food, an old building stands tall and strong, its white walls and monolithic pillars reflecting the glory days of Dutch colonization.

Built in 1929, Museum Bank Mandiri takes visitors back to a time when money was a new method of transaction for Indonesians. This well-maintained building offers visitors displays of old banknotes, coins and counting machines.

However, Museum Bank Mandiri is facing the same problem as many other museums in this country: People would rather traipse around malls than expand their minds in a place of learning.

So in 2008, the museum’s management decided to take a different tack, attracting local community groups by offering free use of its facilities.

“The World Book Day in 2008, conducted by Forum Indonesia Membaca, was the turning point. The event attracted a lot of visitors to Museum Bank Mandiri. And by early 2009, the museum was a meeting point for communities and organizations,” said Dessy Sekar Astina, managing director of Friends of Museum Bank Mandiri.

The group was established to accommodate the needs of the community organizations involved with the museum.

“At the moment we have at least 84 community organizations and individuals that hold membership,” Dessy said.

She explained that Museum Bank Mandiri was a unique example of how a museum could turn itself into a creative place of ideas. “We open our doors so that others can grow with us.”

Unlike a lot of institutions in the country, the museum has a simple and flexible bureaucracy. “It’s probably because Museum Bank Mandiri is owned by a company and not by the local government,” said Mahmudin, manager of Forum Indonesia Membaca’s Library@Batavia, which is located within the museum.

“Community organizations here are given easy access to everything. The management and staff are very helpful. If we want to create an event, we can just talk to the management, and as long as our event is in line with their vision, they will let us use the facilities,” he said.

Kartum, who established Jelajah Budaya, an organization that runs tours in Jakarta, agreed. “It’s a different museum. We always find it easy to conduct events at this place. And it’s so wonderful. Our community usually holds three events a month and all are based in this museum.”

There are currently four community organizations that have their offices at Museum Bank Mandiri: Forum Indonesia Membaca, a group that encourages reading; Pramuka, the Indonesian Boy Scouts; community group Theater; and Jelajah Budaya. Many other community organizations also conduct regular events at the museum.

Asked if the museum’s approach to encouraging community involvement had paid off, Suryadi, a member of Pramuka, said, “What the museum gives us is extraordinary. I don’t think any other museum can give us the same thing.”

He added, “It’s amazing that our members can have their activities here while enjoying culture and history at the same time.”

Dessy said, “Any community organization that wants to have an event here doesn’t have to pay anything. We know that most community organizations in Indonesia have financial difficulties and we want to help.”

Mahmudin said that on one occasion, one of his friends had offered payment to the museum’s staff after conducting an event. “But the staff refused to take the money. My friend was amazed.”

Dessy said the museum had many facilities available for use, and it would be a waste if they were not utilized for the public’s development.

Before the museum changed its approach to attracting visitors, people were hesitant to visit and the building’s large rooms remained empty. But it’s a different story these days. People have started to come and enjoy the museum and what it has to offer.

Dessy said community organizations accounted for about 60 percent of all museum visitors. “That’s why we’re going to develop this approach better in the future.”

“We want to improve in all areas. We want to create a better management and improve the image of this museum as well as that of Kota Tua.

“People always think that Kota Tua is too far away, but that’s not actually the case. We have the [TransJakarta] busway now, which has a stop right in front of Museum Bank Mandiri. Therefore, people’s mind-set needs to change,” Dessy said.

Kartum, who studied history at university, said Museum Bank Mandiri was a place of great beauty and history. “The museum offers very unique displays and stories,” he said. “More people need to come here so that they can love our history. The management’s strategy is a smart one.”

On one recent morning, Ningrum Astuti, 42, who was visiting the museum with her daughter, said, “I always try to take my children to museums so they can learn more about Indonesian history. They’re Indonesian, so having more knowledge about their history will make them proud.”

Visitor Tuti, 35, chimed in. “I’ve been to this museum twice and I like it here. It feels so peaceful. More people need to come here.”

Authorities in Kota Tua have worked hard over the last few years to make the old quarter an attractive place, and their efforts seem to be paying off, albeit slowly. More people are pouring in to find different kinds of entertainment, and on weekends, places like Museum Bank Indonesia and Museum Sejarah are packed with young people.

“We should all appreciate what Museum Bank Mandiri has managed to do so far. If only all of the museums in Indonesia could do the same thing,” Mahmudin said.
On Sept. 30, Library@Batavia will host a discussion on travel writing with English writer Hari Kunzru and local publisher Mula Harahap.

Kunzru is a novelist and journalist who has published a number of books, including “The Impressionist,” “Transmission” and “My Revolutions,” which have been translated into over 20 languages. Kunzru, of English and Kashmir Pandit descent, was raised in Essex. He now lives in New York.

Mula Harahap is the owner of publishing company Komindo Mitra Utama.

He was born in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.

Upcoming Events

Oct. 3

Movie screening: “October Sky”



Oct 11

Batik workshop: “Membatik Yuuk”

Movie screening: “Kundun”



Oct. 25

Movie screening: “Bend It Like Beckham”



Nov. 1

Kota Tua tour



Nov. 6

Le Semaine Francaise XI (French competition)



Nov. 14

Movie screening: “Tjoet Nja Dien”



Nov. 15

Batik workshop: “Lestarikan Ragam Hias Batik Indonesia”



Dec. 4-6

Comic Festival Indonesia “Brani Ngomik”
Library@Batavia - Forum Indonesia Membaca

Museum Bank Mandiri 1st Floor

Jl. Lapangan Stasiun No. 1, Kota

Email: indonesiamembaca@yahoo.com