Jakarta's 'House of the Devil': A Former Jewish Worship Site

In the heart of Jakarta lies a historic building, referred to by the Betawi people of yesteryear as the 'rumah setan' or 'house of the devil.' Located on Jl Budi Utomo in Central Jakarta, adjacent to the Ministry of Finance and the Supreme Court building, this edifice now houses the state-owned pharmaceutical company PN Kimia Farma. During the Dutch colonial era, the street was known as Vrijmetselaars Weg, translating to Freemason Street.

The building's moniker, 'house of the devil,' stemmed from its use in 1856 as a 'loge' or 'loji', a house of worship and meeting place for Freemasons, described as an international Jewish organization operating in Batavia. This international network utilized the building for religious gatherings, engaging in discussions on philosophy, societal issues, and socio-economic matters.

Within this loji, functioning similarly to a synagogue, members participated in rituals. These rituals involved invoking symbols representing humanity's highest ideals and thoughts. Some activities reportedly included summoning spirits, or 'jin and setan' (spirits and devils), contributing to the building's ominous reputation.

Similar 'loji' structures were also found elsewhere, including a building now occupied by Indonesia's National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), which also served as a meeting place for the group. Both locations were known as the 'Bintang Timur' (Eastern Star) loji. The historical account sheds light on the lesser-known presence and activities of international organizations in colonial Jakarta.