The Tale of Aquarium Village

After struggling for four years, on the 76th Indonesian Independence Day on Aug 17 this year (2021), Kampung Akuarium residents felt the true meaning of freedom when they received the “keys” to the new building that was constructed a year earlier.

Originally titled "The Journey of Kampung?Akuarium," the two sequential articles were published in The New Straits Time, Malaysia, last 17 and 18 September 2021.

Here's a brief?excerpt?to wet your appetite:

Kampung Akuarium has two interesting histories.

First is the Indonesian independence 76 years ago. During the independence commemoration, the village was known as a meeting place for founding fathers Soekarno and Muhammad Hatta, after returning from their exile.

Second is the conflict between residents and the government in the past five years that began under former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. Nicknamed by "Ahok," he was defeated during the Jakarta governor election in 2017 by?#Anies?Baswedan (with a score of 42:58).

In his campaign,?#Anies?promised to reorganise Kampung Akuarium as he believed eviction was not a good solution. Immediately after becoming governor,?#Anies?began dialogues with Kampung Akuarium residents, implemented regulations that complemented the?#community?action plan and involved?#residents?in the new?#design?for their?#home.

[...] Kampung Akuarium is expected to be an example of a transition to a vertical residence. The success of the people's lives there will inspire residents in other?#urban?villages that living in vertical housing is not as bad as living in a government-owned apartment. [...]?#collaboration?is key to increasing a sense of belonging among residents so that?#development?can run smoothly and the transition to a denser?#Jakarta?can be carried out.

[...] Soon after the?#pandemic?is under control, Kampung Akuarium residents should be ready to receive?#tourists?(like you), as it was initiated to be another?#historical?site, together with other popular tourist destinations such as Pasar Ikan, Kota Tua, and Masjid Keramat Luar Batang.

Read the rest here: New Straits Times, 17 September 2021.

and here: New Straits Times, 18 September 2021.