Self Test of Bandung\'s Resilience during the Pandemic

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

The atmosphere of Gedung Sate in Bandung, West Java, Wednesday (8/7/2020). During the Covid-19 pandemic, this building was closed to visitors.

Founded 210 years ago, Bandung city, West Java, has been hit by crises of health, the economy and war throughout its history. Now, its resilience is being tested again, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting various aspects of people’s lives.

Multi-story paralon pipes planted with pak choi are installed in the courtyard of the Jodirexa Building in Arcamanik, Bandung, Thursday (9/24/2020). The yard, which used to be a travel agency car park, has been utilized for farming with a hydroponic system.

At the location, Theodorus Primaxylxla Jodimarlo, 24, prepares his new business. From the site of the travel agency, he sells pak choi juice with the help of eight drivers of his travel business. "The travel business crashed during the pandemic," he said.

Jodi\'s travel agency business is not small. Founded in 2019, the turnover used to be Rp 100 million-Rp 200 million per month. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, the turnover has dropped to only Rp 10 million-Rp 30 million per month. However, he remains tough.

Initially, pak choi was sold in the form of vegetables. Starting July, the pak choi was processed into juice.

Together with his father, Joseph Sugeng Irianto, 52, since April Jodi has been utilizing the parking lot. Initially, pak choi was sold in the form of vegetables. Starting July, the pak choi was processed into juice.

A 350-milliliter bottle of pak choi juice is sold at Rp 15,000. Each month, 120-200 bottles are sold. Jodi realizes that juice sales are not comparable to travel business sales. However, it has built his confidence during the pandemic.

"The key is to stay productive. It\'s not easy, but there must be a way,” said Jodi.

He does not want to just earn rupiah. Every Friday, Jodi and Joseph, who are Catholics, give dozens of pak choi juice bottles to residents after Friday prayers. The goal is that many people stay healthy during the pandemic.

Proving ground

COVID-19 is not yet under control in Bandung city. Two weeks ago the prevalence figure was 0.81, then it rose to 1.22 on Friday (25/9). There are 1,470 positive cases in Bandung city. A total of 671 are isolated cases, with 686 recoveries and 50 deaths.

From the start, as only a small village in the mountains, Bandung has become a well-respected city.

This situation is clearly not easy. However, now is the time for Bandung to prove itself again. Since its establishment on 25 September 1810, Bandung was built through the energy of its inhabitants. From the start, as only a small village in the mountains, Bandung has become a well-respected city.

History records that Vereeninging tot nut van Bandoeng en Omstreken (Association of the Welfare for the People of Bandung and its Surroundings) was founded in 1898. Its initiator was Assistant Resident Peter Sijthof, supported by European businessmen and Bandung Regent RAA Martanegara.

In the book Wajah Bandoeng Tempo Doeloe, Haryoto Kunto wrote, their contribution was abundant. Dirt roads and bamboo sidewalks were replaced by stones. Drainage was repaired. Martanegara participated by encouraging citizens to live healthily. They promoted the use of roof tiles to replace alang-alang grass materials as roofs of the houses. The goal was to make the air clean and prevent the pest outbreaks. Cemeteries and health facilities were added.

Kompas

Residents walk along Jalan Braga, Bandung, West Java, when the Braga Culinary Night is held, Saturday (10/5/2014).

When health guarantees were fulfilled, Bandung\'s economic state began to flourish. In the book Braga: Heart of Parijs van Java, Ridwan Hutagalung wrote, the Hellerman family emerged as "the king" of shop for basic necessities. There was also the Bogerijen family with its Maison Bogerijen restaurant (now known as Braga Permai), which is still an icon.

At its peak, Bandung became the capital of the Dutch East Indies in the early 1920s. A healthy Bandung was considered more livable than Batavia. However, the world recession of the 1930s and World War II made the infrastructure only partially complete.

The aftermath of the war was also felt through the Bandung Lautan Api incident. Refusing to continue to be colonized, on 24 March 1946, Bandung was burned down by the army and the people. Ismail Marzuki was inspired by this heroic story and the song Halo-Halo Bandung was born when he was forced to flee (Kompas, 24 March 2006).

Bandung\'s sacrifice was not in vain. Nine years later, Bandung rose through the Asian-African Conference (KAA). In 1955, more than 300 delegates from 29 countries attended. The KAA called for a stance against colonialism.

Now, 65 years after the KAA, the pandemic comes as a test. Bandung has again set an example, this time as the host of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine candidate produced by Sinovac. Needing 1,620 volunteers, 2,500 Bandung residents registered. They are ready to protect the lives of world citizens.

While waiting for the potential vaccine to be ready, residents do not want to be passive. Imam Sumantri, 45, a resident of RW 009 neighborhood community, Lingkar Selatan village, Lengkong district, for example, is aware of the long impacts of the pandemic. Armed with an internet subscription, he invites children around his house to access distance learning. Using personal funds of Rp 700,000 per month, dozens of children access the internet for free.

The Bandung city administration appreciates Imam\'s work. RW 009 has been inaugurated as Lembur Tohaga Lodaya, an independent RW level environmental program to face COVID-19. Now, the program has been carried out in 123 locations.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

A road divider was installed on Jalan Martadinata, Bandung City, West Java, Wednesday (23/9/2020) at around 15.30. The road closure policy at 09.00 - 11.00, 14.00 - 16.00, and 22.00 - 06.00 is to reduce the movement of residents during the new normal period.

However, efforts to get up are not always smooth. In markets, parks, city transportation and cafes, many residents are reluctant to wear masks. The policy of the Bandung administration to close five main roads at certain hours has not been effective in limiting residents\' activities. "COVID-19 is still there. Don\'t be careless,” said Bandung Mayor Oded M. Danial.

Time brings evidence. Happiness does not appear suddenly. For more than two centuries, the city of Bandung wants to continue to inspire, including in the hydroponic farm in the former car park. (Cornelius Helmy)