Sabar Suastono, Empowering the Old Kampung

Sabar Suastono prepares a herbal concoction along with a resident of Maspati kampung in Bubutan district, Surabaya, East Java.

Sabar Suastono, 49, did not refuse when he was asked to share his experience of developing a kampung into a tourist destination as well as its residents. Following the successful revitalization of an old kampung (kampung lawas) called Maspati, Surabaya has become an international tourist destination.

Kampung Lawas Maspati is now becoming increasingly popular among foreign tourists. Sabar is often invited to speak about his experience in revamping the old city.

After successfully leading the revamping of Kampung Lawas Maspati in Bubutan village, Bubutan subdistrict, and helping to develop Surabaya as a tourist destination, Sabar also became involved in conserving Bubutan village through a project called Bubutan Heritage. He is now active in a small and medium enterprises association and a tourism awareness group (pokdarwis).

As a popular tourist destination, Maspati has a turnover of Rp 60 million per month. Sabar expects this figure to rise. He wants the achievement to be maintained, even improved.

The effort he initiated with other residents has produced many results. Maspati was awarded first place for hospitality at the Surabaya Tourism Destination Award on Nov. 13, 2016. The kampung also won an award for Independent Traditional Services Group for the Use of Herbal Plants and Acupressure from East Java province in 2016.

He fondly recalled the advice of Muslim leader Gus Mus (K.H. Mustofa Bisri) when he attended the Kampung Lawas Maspati Cultural Learning and Nationalism Festival in 2017. “He said it was difficult to preserve culture. It was hard to maintain a harmonious society, particularly in urban areas. So when I am gone, what can be preserved,” Sabar said on Jan. 23, 2019.

Sabar did not expect he would throw himself into historical tourism. Many tourists and researchers have visited the village, including Fujii Masaaki from Hiroshima University, accompanied by researcher Andhang Rakhmad Trihamdani.

Lady Davis from the Friendship Force of Las Vegas also visited, accompanied by Anny Bagyo Winoto from the Friendship Force of Surabaya.

“About 60 percent of all visitors to Maspati come from abroad. It can be even more crowded when cruise ships dock in Surabaya,” he said.

When he was young, Sabar worked as a newspaper deliveryman for five years. He then worked as a janitor until the fall of President Soeharto in May 1998. He started a brass trophy and calligraphy business in 2001, and received many orders for souvenirs and trophies from the Surabaya municipal administration. He also worked on the mascot for the National Games (PON) in East Kalimantan, made from acrylic. Since becoming the head of the RW 008

community unit in 2012, he has encouraged its residents to manage waste in the area and turn it into a green kampung. Every RT (neighborhood unit) manages its environment with self-help funds of around Rp 20 million to Rp 25 million.

Sabar worked to ensure that the kampung residents earned an income when Maspati was declared a tourist destination. He also looked for opportunities in Ampel village. He concluded that Maspati’s selling point was its cultural harmony in downtown Surabaya. Of course, Maspati also possesses historical value that is good for tourism.

Kampung Lawas Maspati is easy to reach. It is strategically located in the middle of the East Java capital. It is about 500 meters from Tugu Pahlawan, the heroes monument. Maspati was once filled with the houses of tumenggung (local chieftains during the dynastic era of Javanese kingdoms) and patih (dynastic premiers) and other royal officials.

Its historical heritage includes the house of mantri (health clerk) Raden Soemomihardjo, a prominent figure of Keraton Surakarta (Solo royal palace), also called “ndoro mantra” by the local residents. Maspati also has a building that once housed the Ongko Loro public school during the Dutch occupation. There is also the building that was once a bakery owned by Haji Iskak, which became a community kitchen during the battle of Nov. 10, 1945 (the Battle of Surabaya), and it has been Asri Inn since 1958.

Kampung Lawan Maspati also played a vital role in the Independence War. A building established in 1907 was used as the war strategy headquarters for the Battle of Surabaya. Today, the building is the Omah Lawas cafe. The tombs of Raden Karyo Sentono and Mbah Buyut Suruh – the grandparents of Joko Berek, or Sawunggaling – are also located in the kampung.

Blessed with historical buildings and its residents’ spirit to maintain a harmonious and friendly culture, Kampung Lawan Maspati was declared a tourist village on Jan. 24, 2016 by the Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini.

The kampung’s tourism has developed because of the residents’ efforts at maintaining a clean environment and its historical buildings. They also contributed creative ideas to beautify the area by painting the paving blocks and alley walls. The alley leading into the kampung is lush with living plants.

The kampung offers special tours on Saturdays and Sundays. A group tour for at least 15 visitors and a maximum of 25 can be had for Rp 2 million, which includes a welcome drink at every RT and traditional music performances. Visitors can also learn how to make herbal beverages and cincau (grass jelly), as well as Javanese script.

No expert

Sabar admits that he is not an academic, a writer or a speaker. However, because of vast his experience, he is regularly invited as a speaker to various forums, earning an honorarium of at least Rp 1.5 million for sharing his experiences in revitalizing Maspati. One of his children or a nephew usually prepares his PowerPoint presentation. “I am also involved in the Bubutan tourism awareness group,” he said.

Sabar realizes that his effort to embrace and encourage the residents has not been without obstacles. However, he focused on those who were happy and willing to accept ideas. “Of course, you must first be able to prove [your accomplishments] confidently. Once there are results, the ones who did not agree initially will follow it [automatically],” said Sabara, who is the youngest of five children of Sugito Dharmo Prawiro and Kustilah.

The residents can now feel the positive impacts of their efforts. The kampung is green and attractive. “The people here are also known to be friendly. The kampung is safe and [quiet],” he said.

The local economy grew upon its earnings from souvenirs like songkok paintings and silkscreen shirts, and performances of traditional music. In addition, every RT has superior products to welcome foreign guests. The village has a population of 375 families, or about 1,750 people, and it has become renowned as a place to rest and unwind.

According to Sabar, the “old village” concept was not just branding, a tourist destination or tetenger (landmark). Most importantly, community participation had a positive impact. Managing old villages for tourism could be a barometer of economic development, harmony and cultural preservation. (IQBAL BASYARI/DEFRI WERDIONO)

Sabar Suastono

Born: Surabaya, June 20, 1969

Wife: Nurul Mahabatul ’Aliyah

Children:

- Rifki Khatinah Silmi, Alisah Safinatunnajah

Education:

- Madrasah Aliyah Pagerwojo, Jombang

- SMP Negeri 2 Surabaya

- SD Pasar Turi

Awards:

Surabaya Mayor’s activism award for Kampung Lawan Maspati revitalization, May 31, 2018