It was 7 a.m. in Alam Sutera, an elite district in South Tangerang, around one hour drive and 25 kilometers from the capital city of Jakarta. The cacophony of honking horns echoed through the city streets as a sea of frustrated drivers navigated the morning rush hour. Workers wearing different uniforms were busy with their jobs. High-end residential complexes and modern shopping areas with tall office buildings magnify this area.
The 800-hectare area used to be a rubber plantation. But, it has now transformed into a private estate developed by giant developers in Indonesia. The commercial areas donned the mantle of global icons, such as Broadway, a famous theater district in Manhattan, New York, US. Housing clusters sport exotic names like New Alba, Catriona, and Impresahaus, casting a spell of global sophistication.
Alam Sutera’s meteoric rise, spearheaded by PT Alam Sutera Realty in 1994, mirrors the economic boom of Greater Jakarta, which started in the 1990s, and the growing middle class. While the city boasts job creation, modern amenities, and a cosmopolitan vibe, it has also cast a long shadow on native residents. Unable to compete with the resources and expertise wielded by newcomers, their numbers dwindle, and their traditions fade amidst the gleaming skyscrapers.
“In the past, Alam Sutera was a canvas of rubber plantations and agroforestry,” Wahul, a resident of Kampung Baru, an urban village in the area, said recently.
Tandjudin Suri, a custodian of Pakulonan Village since 1942, added, “The late ’80s marked the end of the plantation era, paving the way for the development of residential and commercial areas.”
Questions arise: What fate befalls the native residents? Are they displaced by the swift currents of transformation?
PT Alam Sutera’s acquisition of land plots previously owned by locals has transformed the demographics. Sri Wahyuningsih, a housewife in Kampung Baru who has lived in this area for 43 years, said, “Developments involve evictions; those economically disadvantaged accept their fate, while the financially robust adapt.”
“Fairly large number of native residents of Kampung Baru sold their property to developers and moved elsewhere, resulting in the decreased number of native residents,” she added.
Pakulonan Village head Dwi Santoso refused to use ‘eviction’ to explain the shifts, saying that the locals had received an appropriate amount of compensation. “[The compensation and financial benefits] were based on prior agreements [between the developer and locals],” he said.
The rapid transformation has brought about economic growth, but some locals could not help but feel sidelined.
“I miss the old days; the plantations and the warmth. Now, everything is not affordable and it gets tough [due to inflation],” Agus, a seasoned construction worker, said.
Another native resident, Wahul, who has also witnessed the transformation of the area into today’s Alam Sutera, shared the sentiment.
“I really miss the old days. I don’t feel represented by the people who run the areas and the authorities. Newcomers are running this area,” he said.
Fading values of locality
Among the focal points in Alam Sutera is a commercial area called Broadway, named after the global icon in New York City. Alam Sutera’s Broadway isn’t just a mall, it’s a meticulously crafted stage set: 70s American architecture, from brick facades to neon hues, transports visitors to a bygone era. It soon gained traction among the middle class when it was first introduced in 2018.
But the use os foreign names also caused natives to feel even more alienated. Hernawan, a native resident, mourned as he looked at the gleaming facades of Broadway. “I prefer Indonesian names,” he said, “they exude pride.”
Agam Pamungkas, a historian and cultural expert based in South Tangerang, sees it as part of globalization, but foresees a shift in preferences towards local values among the youth.
“They believe that foreign names will attract consumers. Visitors will feel like they’re somewhere abroad,” Agam said, adding that the younger generation of consumers might change their preference to local values and cultures.
The quest for local identity extends to architecture. Alam Sutera’s main landmark adopted European icons, including the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris, France, and the Big Ben Clock Tower in London, UK.
“Yes, it’s indeed unfortunate,” Pakulonan Village head Dwi Santoso acknowledged. “Making a self-monument specifically for Alam Sutera will be better. I heard that the mayor seems to have plans to change that monument, we will see how it goes,” he continued.
This phenomenon is a part of globalisation, as explained by a sociologist from the University of Indonesia, Ida Ruwaida.
“Indonesia is now globalised and has followed foreign cultures because Indonesia is part of the global community and is very closely influenced by foreign cultures,” Ida said.
She also noted that Indonesia should not be too immersed into foreign culture or they will lose their identity.
Natives bear the brunt of inequalities
Although Alam Sutera’s development fueled economic growth, native workers found little improvement in their job prospects.
“We are losing out to the newcomers because big companies hire more of them than the natives,” a native resident who has lived in the area for 57 years, Sukiman, said.
Without higher education and new skills, local residents could only get casual jobs with low income.
“We the natives can only work as construction workers, casual workers, motorcycle taxi drivers, and whatnot. I feel like it would be wonderful if they can work as an office boy in any company, so the developer can outsource from the locals,” he continued.
Wahul shared the sentiment. For him, modernisation has brought more negative impacts. Despite modern amenities and improved public transportation, earning enough to meet his family’s basic needs became a new challenge for him.
“I hope there will be progress for my children in the future, so that it will be easier for them to work in a company, even as a blue-collar worker. Big companies usually hire people from outside, not the local people from this area,” Wahul said.
