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  • RIP Tante Lien

    RIP Tante Lien

    PRESS RELEASE

    (On behalf of Wieteke van Dort Productions)

    WIETEKE VAN DORT PASSED AWAY

    Last Monday, July 15, 2024 surrounded by her family Wieteke van Dort in her house in The Hague, passed away. The singer and actress was diagnosed with cancer with metastases last May. Wieteke van Dort gained great fame in the seventies of the last century with television programs for young people such as Oebele and De Stratemakeropzeeshow.

    Also very popular was the Late Late Lien Show in which her alter ego Aunt Lien received Indo Dutch guests and artists. Van Dort still performed frequently in the country as Aunt Lien and could still be seen in the feature film In Love on Bali this year. Together with Anneke Grönloh, The Blue Diamonds and Sandra Reemer, Van Dort was among the celebreties of The Indo Dutch Community. She also took a warm heart from The Dutch veterans. In 2007, she received the badge of honor for merit from the Ministry of Defense for her commitment to this target group. The details about the farewell of Wieteke van Dort will be shared soon.

    Wieteke from Dort Productions

    The Hague, July 16, 2024

  • Dutch + Ambon = INDO

    They live 12,500 kilometres away from the Netherlands but live passionately with Orange. The Moluccan fans who stay up for nights to see every game live. Especially on the island of Ambon there is a heavy Orange fever… Especially now that Tijjani Reijnders is also playing along with Orange who has old family ties to the island. Reijnder’s mother, Angelina Lekatompessy, comes from Latuhalat Village in Ambon.

    Indonesian island of Ambon is under the spell of Orange. ‘The colonial time? That’s history’

    The Dutch national team has a large of following in Maluku due to historical ties dating back to the colonial era when many Moluccans served in the Dutch military or left to The Netherlands after Indonesia’s independence 17 August 1945 under false promises by The Dutch Government.

    “This convoy is our expression of euphoria Orange victory convoys followed immediately after each Netherlands victory matches in the 2024 UEFA Champions Tournament.

    Driving motorcycles and cars adorned with orange-themed accessories and waving Dutch flags, the fans circled around Ambon City.

    Simon Tahamata and Gio van Bronckhorst are also famous retired Ambon football players for The Dutch Football Team.

  • Rendang is Indonesia’s culinary masterpiece 11 of the best places to get it in LA

    Rendang is Indonesia’s culinary masterpiece 11 of the best places to get it in LA

    Growing up, the moment I caught the aroma of ground chiles, garlic, ginger, galangal and other spices sizzling in hot oil, I knew my mother was making rendang. Preparing this fragrant Indonesian dish is no easy feat, requiring a melange of ingredients to create a rich, full-bodied dry curry. It’s steeped in coconut milk and slow-cooked for hours until the oil from the milk separates to caramelize the meat, rendering it unbelievably tender and enveloping each succulent piece in a spicy, unctuous paste. The flavor is intense, complex, unforgettable — no wonder there were never any leftovers when my mom made it.

    “Eating rendang is like enjoying a rich sake where there’s distinct top notes, a robust body and a lingering aftertaste,” says Eric Tjahyadi, owner of Bone Kettle restaurant in Pasadena. “That’s really the best type of rendang — one that takes you to places.”

    Originally a method to preserve meat in Indonesia’s tropical climate, it’s also a dish that you can take with you. “Due to its dry nature and natural preservatives like turmeric and coconut, traditional rendang can be stored for several days at room temperature,” says Cobi Marsh, owner of Cobi’s restaurant in Santa Monica.

    The extended shelf life of rendang was vital for the Minangkabau people indigenous to West Sumatra who created the dish. In this matrilineal society where wealth and property passed from mother to daughter, young men were encouraged to leave the tribe in a rite of passage known as merantau, or wandering. They’d bring rendang with them on their journeys — both for nourishment and a taste of home as they sought knowledge, fortune and new experiences.

    To the Minangkabau, rendang is more than a dish or cooking method; it’s part of their cultural identity, a labor of love symbolizing wisdom, patience and perseverance. Despite its widespread availability today, rendang remains a culinary tradition with ceremonial importance. Raised in Surabaya in a Chinese Christian family before moving to Jakarta, my mother recalls visiting neighbors during Lebaran (the Indonesian name for two Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha). These gatherings in this predominantly Muslim country saw people of different faiths, both Christians and Muslims, coming together to share in celebration — and rendang was always an important part of the feast.

    My mom brought the tradition of rendang with her when she came to California, just as Tjahyadi’s family did when they immigrated. “On holidays in the U.S., we wouldn’t have turkey or ham,” says Tjahyadi. “We’d have rendang. It was our own version of holiday meat.”

    With the rise of Indonesian and Southeast Asian restaurants in L.A., I’ve embarked on my own merantau of sorts with my mom, exploring rendang across the city. Just as every region in Indonesia has its own unique style of rendang, each restaurant here offers its own twist. Here’s a guide to some of our favorites — from those honoring tradition to others reimagining it in their own distinct way.

  • WIETEKE VAN DORT SERIOUSLY ILL

    WIETEKE VAN DORT SERIOUSLY ILL

    The Hague, May 29, 2024
     
    Wieteke van Dort is seriously ill. Louisa Johanna Theodora “Wieteke” van Dort (born May 16, 1943 in Soerabaya, Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies) is a Dutch actress, comedian, singer, writer and artist of Indo (Eurasian) descent. On April 29, 1999, Queen Beatrixappointed her Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. 
     
    The singer and actress has been diagnosed with cancer with radiation. All gigs and contractual obligations have been stopped immediately.
    Wieteke van Dort gained popularity in the seventies of the last century with television programs for the youth such as Oebele and De Stratemaker op zee show. Very beloved was also the Late Late Lien Show in which her alter ego Aunt Lien welcomed Indo guests and artists. Van Dort performed as Aunt Lien many times in the country and this year was seen in the feature film In love with Bali. Due to her illness, Wieteke van Dort has put down all her activities. She wants to spend the coming time in peace with her family and friends.
     
    This message applies as a notice. No further medical steps or treatments will be communicated.
     
    Wieteke by Dort Productions
    The Hague
  • No more Tong Tong Fair, formerly known as Pasar Malam Besar

    No more Tong Tong Fair, formerly known as Pasar Malam Besar

    Over the past few days I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole Tong Tong Fair debacle. Like many, I am very shocked that the event has been cancelled this year and has since been granted the status of suspension.

    Curious as I am, I have done more research into the Tong Tong Fair, I have gone through hundreds of documents, and have made countless phone calls.

    “Don’t do it!” My girlfriend said when I indicated that I was devoting a post to this. “Soon no Indo organisation wants to work with you anymore”

    But, I am and will remain an Indo. Stubborn to the bone. And I stand for my community.

    In this piece I put the ties in line with you. These are supported by source citations/numbered images.

    I try to share as much information as possible succinctly and in Jip and Janneke language (easy to understand language), so that it is clear to everyone.

    Grab a Bintang or Kopi Tubruk, sit on your pantat.. This is going to take a while.

    TONG TONG FAIR

    The Tong Tong Fair, formerly Pasar Malam Besar, is an Eurasian or Indo European festival. It is still popularly called a Pasar Malam. The board of Tong Tong Fair Foundation consists of: Siem Boon (chairman), Esther Tak (secretary), Digna van Boetzelaer and Coos Versteeg. The board members, in their own words, receive no compensation for their work.

    Source https://stichtingtongtong.nl/tong-tong-fair/

    The Tong Tong Fair is, as it were, split in half. For example, there is a foundation; Tong Tong Foundation, it has a cultural ANBI status.

    In addition, there is a BV; Pasar Malam Besar B.V (commercial company).

    TONG TONG FOUNDATION

    With the Tong Tong Foundation, grants and donations are collected. The Foundation, according to its own words, is responsible for the programming of the Tong Tong Festival. The foundation indicates that it does not have any permanent staff. Source:https://stichtingtongtong.nl/tong-tong-fair/)

    Given that the Foundation has a Cultural ANBI status, there are tax benefits; the Foundation has a VAT exemption. An ANBI does not pay inheritance tax or gift tax for inheritances and gifts that the institution uses for the public interest. If an ANBI makes donations itself in the public interest, then the recipient does not have to pay a gift tax. An ANBI is eligible for energy tax refund. Volunteers may be eligible for compensation.

    Source :

    belastingdienst.nl

    PASAR MALAM BESAR BV

    Through the Pasar Malam Besar BV (commercial company), the entrance fee and the stand rental are received. The Tong Tong Fair indicates that it has always been a not-for-profit. According to their own words, the proceeds from the entrance and stand rental are used to make the cultural program possible: a form of internal subsidy.

    Source :

    https://stichtingtongtong.nl/tong-tong-fair/)

    On the website you can read the following; “The Tong Tong Festival is realized for about 95% without project grants.
    The fact that the Tong Tong Festival receives virtually no grants has to do with the character of the festival. In the past, Indo
    or Eurasian culture was considered an uninteresting hybrid. Nowadays, the stock exchange activities and/or entrance tax are often found to be difficult.

     

    There is nothing wrong with this construction. It‘s allowed. In addition, this one has “Internal subsidization” a number of fine tax benefits; donations are deductible from the profit (max. €100,000). Since Tong Tong Foundation has a Cultural ANBI status, you can increase the deduction of the profit by 50% (maximum €2,500).

    In that regard, the Tong Tong Fair has its operations in good order and they know how to use tax benefits in a smart way.

    Year 2020

    Due to all the corona problems a disaster year for many, the Tong Tong Fair was also cancelled that year. Companies fall over in a row..

    But thanks to State Secretary Paul Blokhuis, the Tong Tong Fair belongs not to that list.

    State Secretary Paul Blokhuis (Public Health, Welfare and Sport, VWS) will make an additional €20.4 million available that year. Of this, €19.7 million is available incidentally (one-time) and €0.7 million structurally. He calls the project plan “Collective recognition of the Indo Community in the Netherlands – an extra impulse”

    Source : https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/ronl-ele04d37-49c0-4152-9ef4-34e77cc5ede3/pdf)

    The extra money that is made available is divided over 4 years.

    An amount of €1.4 million will be released in 2020. Blokhuis decides that the amount will be used for the reinforcement of Sophiahof and the preservation of the Tong Tong Fair.

    It is unclear how this money is distributed among the parties. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an answer to this in the dents of the web.

    I also made phone calls in vain. Tong Tong Fair is unreachable because of the situation, no one was available at Sophiahof. Mr. P. van Litsenburg (policy officer VWS) gave

     

    Just back to that gigantic amount of €1.4 million. Blokhuis indicates that the money is being made available to make the Tong Tong Fair future-proof. This means that the money does not go to Tong Tong Foundation. It goes to the Pasar Malam Besar BV. You know, the commercial company that doesn’t have to be accountable.

    In addition, the Pasar Malam Besar BV. receives another €100,000 grants 

    from the municipality of The Hague.
    Source: Grants Register The Hague

    Tong Tong Foundation will also receive a subsidy from the municipality in 2020. The amount granted is €12,500, ultimately an amount of €4,140 is determined. This is also the last year that the Foundation applies for a grant. In the following years, the Tong Tong Fair will submit their grant applications through the Pasar Malam Besar B.V. Perhaps because this is more tax-efficient?

    State Secretary Blokhuis decides to distribute the remaining €18.3 million for the collection recognition over the years 2021 – 2024.

    It is not clear where this money went, Mr P. van Litsenburg (policy worker VWS) indicates that he will also answer this question via e-mail at a later date.

    Year 2021

    Unfortunately, no Tong Tong Fair will take place in 2021, corona is also the culprit this year. Fortunately, the municipality of The Hague granted Pasar Malam Besar BV another amount of €100,000. The amount will later be set at €50,000 Source: Grant Register The Hague.

    Year 2022

    We can finally go to the Tong Tong Fair again! The Pasar Malam Besar B.V. receives a grant of €75,000 from the municipality of The Hague. Source: Grant Register The Hague.

    A number of projects that take place at the Tong Tong Fair are also supported by the Mondriaan Fund and Fund 1818.

    Source: Stichtingtongtong.nl

    Via the Pasar Malam Besar B.V. the entrance fee and the stand rental will be finalized. A day ticket costs €15 this year, according to the organization there are a total of 70,000 visitors. Count out your profits!

    Despite the fact that there are fewer exhibitors, this is also nicely cashed by Pasar Malam Besar BV. Especially the Food exhibitors (restaurants) at the event are not surprised by a bill that can amount to around €30,000.

    Years 2023

    As every year, the Pasar Malam Besar BV submits another grant application to the municipality of The Hague. However, the application is remarkable this year. The organisation submits the application based on a 5-day event. It is expected that 38,000 paid visitors will come to the event.

    The Pasar Malam Besar BV requests a subsidy of €100,000 for this.

    The municipality makes their assessment public on this.

    Read here:

    https://denhaag.raadsinformatie.nl/document/12182080/1/RIS31401

    Appendix 2 review Large-scale Public Events 2023)

    Page 27 + 28.

    During the assessment, it is now known that the Tong Tong Fair moved to September and the organisation wants to bet on 7 days.

    The council does not respond mildly this year. After looking at the budget, they believe that there is a positive balance and the organizational and agency costs are on the substantial side. In addition, the event should be more or less self-sufficient due to own income from entrance fees and stand rental, and should need no or less grants.

    The municipality decides that the application will be granted with a (lower) contribution of €40,000

    Please note, this amount has been committed to a 7-day event. Why the organisation eventually decided to organise an 11-day event with this grant is not known.

    I do not know whether other subsidies have been received through the Tong Tong Foundation.

    Year 2024

    In several press releases, the organisation indicates that it is pleased that the 11-day event will take place at the Malieveld in May.

    It is also announced that this may be the last time and the event will look for a different location.

    In December 2023, the municipality of The Hague will decide that a grant of €50,000 will be released for the Pasar Malam Besar. This is available for the 64th edition of the event.

    Source: Grant Register The Hague.

    The Tong Tong Fair indicates that many exhibitors will participate in the event and a nice program will come.

    Due to the size of the event, exhibitors buy their (large) stock on time and the stand rent is neatly paid to the
    Pasar Malam Besar BV. As mentioned earlier, these are thousands of Euros.

    As every year, visitors are also urged to buy their tickets online.

    However, it is remarkable that there is still no program online for a short time before the event starts in comparison to previous years.

    CANCELLED

    On May 2, 2024, just 22 days before the event starts, the bomb explodes. Through a statement on the website and social media, the Tong Tong Fair announces that the event for this year has been cancelled. Reason for this?Financially difficult times

    Exhibitors receive an email with the message that the Tong Tong Fair has been cancelled for financial reasons.

    A number of Food Standholders are immediately informed through this email message that the organisation has requested a postponement of payment. Non-food exhibitors will not receive this additional message.

    Like the rest of the Netherlands, they only hear a few days later that the organisation has requested a deferral of payment.

    Conversations with exhibitors show that they have been severely seized.

    The stand money of thousands of Euros is gone, huge amounts have been spent on stock, loss of turnover, airline tickets, hotels, etc. This puts a number of exhibitors and their families in serious trouble.

    On social media, the opinions of the public are well divided. It is urged to start crowdfund actions, others want an investigation into the board. Even The Hague politics makes itself heard.

    Lotte van Basten Batenburg, group chairman of the VVD in the Hague City Council, wants a debate to come soon. Because: “The Tong Tong Fair belongs to and in The Hague” she says on X (formerly Twitter).

    Richard de Mos, group chairman of Hart for The Hague, not only asks for the help of politicians: “In this case, I call on everyone from the Hague business community to contact me to save the Tong Tong Fair together.”

    Alderman Saskia Bruines (D66, Culture) says in a first response to Omroep West that she regrets the blow.
    “The Tong Tong Fair is a beloved event with a long history in our city,”
    says the councillor. The news that the 64th edition will not take place is sad news. Especially for the Indian community. But also for the organisation and all visitors who appreciate this event so much. Still, the councillor still keeps the door open for next editions. “We like to think along about opportunities for the future,” says Bruines.

    In the meantime, De Mos, with the support of D66 and VVD, has requested a debate.

    MY GOAL WITH THIS PIECE..

    I am currently noticing a lot of unrest in my Indo environment. There are questions that no one can answer at the moment.

    It seemed important to me to make a list of a number of facts. This shows that the Tong Tong Fair has raked in quite a few subsidies through the Pasar Malam Besar BV.

    They can’t be blamed for that. However, is it a justified question of what has happened to the money all these years?

    -What about the distribution of €1.4 million subsidy ? Year 2020

    – How much money then went to the Tong Tong fair, and why is

    Did this go to their BV instead of the foundation?

    – Why did the municipality of The Hague gave so much grants in the Pasar Malam Besar BV. ?

    – Why was the plug only pulled out 22 days before the event started?

    – There was still a lot of cash through stand rental and online ticket sales. Didn’t the organisation know before that it was an expiring case?

    – Why does The Hague politics necessarily want EVEN MORE money to be pumped into the event? After all, the municipality also indicated that the organisation really has to be on its own two feet.

    – When will these questions be answered?

    In my previous post on social media I already mention that a number of people will blame me for wanting to bring out the bottom stone.

    I don’t care. I will always be committed to the Indo Community and my Pasar colleagues. No Soedah Laat Maar…

    Maxime – Indo’s Be Like

  • A Tribute to my mother.

    A Tribute to my mother.


    Mama Oma Willy Monsantofils Duysings passed over into her heavenly home peacefully at home 10:56pm March 27, 2024 surrounded by family members.Mama, Willy Monsantofils Duysings, was born on September 2, 1926 in Porwokerto, on the island of Java, in The Dutch East Indies.She passed away on March 27, 2024 at age 97. She was the last of her siblings to go. She lived a long and full life filled with joys and pangs, a fruitful life.She was the 4th child of eight children. Three boys and five girls. Her father was Hendrik Monsantofils, a train station master, and her mother was Josephine Droop, a great-great-granddaughter of a German pirate, Henrich von Droop, who eventually sailed to The Dutch East Indies and married a native girl, making Java his home.Her childhood was a normal upbringing, with the exception of multiple moves to different cities because of her father’s train station master job. Growing up with seven siblings must have had many interesting times.In her later teens, for three and a half years (1942-1945) the family had to survive the harsh Japanese military occupation of the islands.Their lives were tremendously affected by the war years. Immediately, when the Japanese military invaded the islands, her oldest brother, Alfred (Diet), was gathered up and put into one of many military prison camps on Java. Her second oldest brother, Gerard (Ade), who was a very young 19 year old Dutch Navy sailor, was killed in the sinking of the Dutch Navy flagship, the HNLMS De Ruyter, in the Battle of the Java Sea in February 27, 1942.The family plied out a living under the very restrictive Japanese rule.In late 1944, her father, Hendrik, was arrested by the Japanese, accused of taking part in a train sabotage. This was a drummed up charge to conveniently point blame for the incident. He was placed in a government prison to rot away. In the meantime, the family had to eke out a very precarious and meager living without the father’s monthly income. They were forced to move to a different house in the outskirts of the City of Batavia, the capital. Life was difficult during the war years, but the family pulled through.Only two months before the end of WWII, their father died from ill health in the prison. Such a horendous loss.After the war, the family got on with life as the oldest children found jobs to keep the household together. Yet, a new threat loomed and posed itself on them, Indonesian Nationalism seeking independence. All non indigenous people became targets of discrimination with brutal attacks against them in the post war years. Life as the family knew it in pre-war years would never be the same. It would be a time for tremendous change which led to a large-scale diaspora out of the country for non-indigenous people.In the meantime, in early 1948, at age 22, Mama Willy met Herman, her future husband. They married on October 15, 1948.Papa Herman, also a survivor of a Japanese prison camp, had just finished a stint in the KNIL (Royal Nederland East Indies Army) and civil engineering school, now was employed on a tea and rubber plantation near Sukabumi, Java as head of security. Security measures were needed because bands of Indonesian insurgents roamed the countryside to rid the country of foreigners, especially of Dutch extraction.Two sons were born during this time, Arthur Roland (1949) and Peter Robert (1952).After the plantation was stolen by government decree to take control of all businesses, the young family moved to Bandung, Java where Papa Herman got a job with a civil engineering company. Rudolf Paul was born here in 1953.That same year, Papa Herman along with two friends were arrested on bogus insurrection against the state charges and were thrown in a government prison.While our father was taken captive, immediately our mother was faced with a whole new circumstance, having to figure out how to eke out a living with three very young sons and our father’s mother, old Oma Leen (L¯ane), also living there. The fortunate thing was that the house they lived in was owned by a family member and they stayed there rent free in Bandung. Another gracious gift was, our father’s employer, an engineering company, continued to pay his monthly salary for another six months. Anticipating the lack of income after the six months, our mother began growing orchids and cooking food for other families for money, while Oma Leen sewed clothes to sell. Of course, this routine could not sustain them forever.Meanwhile, the Dutch Consulate, kept urging the family to get out of the country for their sake of their welfare. In January 1955, a little over one year after our father was arrested, the family said their goodbyes to the few extended family members and friends who were still living in the country, and departed Java for Holland. Mama believed she would never see Papa Herman again.However, a marvelous story unfolded by God’s merciful hand and brought Papa back to us in Holland a year later in December 1955. (details of his escape is a separate story)Soon after, Papa got a civil engineering job and Mama a government job. In March 1957, a fourth son, Bernard Alexander was born at home in ‘s-Gravenzande, South Holland. We immigrated to America in June, 1960 to Bellflower, California. Then moved to Riverside, CA in 1963.Mama began work as a home cleaner full time. In June, 1969 we moved to San Jose, CA. Mama again picked up home cleaning jobs. She always said that the families she worked for treated her as family and even paid into her social security account, which helped her on retirement years.In 1974, Papa & Mama moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains on 3 acres. Ben was the only son still living at home. In 1989, Papa & Mama retired and moved out of state to Greenbank, Whidbey Island, Washington and built their dream house that Papa designed on a large parcel of land. At that time, Rudie and Ben and their families lived close by on Whidbey Island. They enjoyed the years gardening, road trips, and spending time with grandkids.Then in May 2002 Papa passed away at age 78 from a stroke. Mama sold the home and property and had a new small home built on the back end of Rudie’s 10 acre property. She has lived there happily since 2004.She has lived a very healthy life into a very ripe old age. A lot of that stems from eating healthy foods. She is survived by 4 sons, 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grand children, and 1 great-great grandchild. The great grand children have given her a lot of joy in her later years.Some miscellaneous info:She liked to laugh and play along with jokes – two of her favorite cartoon characters were Heckle & Jeckle. She even allowed us the watch The Three Stooges as long as we did not copy the rough antics.She liked playing tennis in her youth.She loved to read and do crossword puzzles.She was humble and had a good strong work ethic.She was well known as a good cook. She never used a cookbook. She cooked meals from scratch. It was rare when she cooked a meal from a boxed mix from the store. She cooked from memory, from years of learning from her mother how to whip up meals while growing up. She always made the tastiest of meals using her blend of spices. Some of our favorite ones were, Nasi goreng (fried rice), bami (Indonesian version of Chow Mein), sate Ayam or Babi (grilled chicken/pork kabab), bubur ayam (chicken rice porridge), Sayur (coconut vegetable soup), Gado-Gado (a type of salad), Krupuk (shrimp chip), and one of course we can’t forget Mama’s lumpia (egg roll). Immigrating to the US, brought forth new additional meals. Hamburgers, hotdogs, fried chicken, grilled cheese, spaghetti, tacos, and her version of Spanish rice.Her favorite color was BlueFavorite flower: orchid and lilySpring was her favorite seasonAnd lastly, but the most significant attribute of her life was her love and faith in the Lord God.The family knows that Mama’s faith and reliance on God was her all-encompassing treasure. To us, her simple faith in trusting the Lord was her paramount focus and was reflective as in Luke 18:17, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And this elementary trust in God was her stability, her pillar in life. We are all so very jubilant that she is celebrating the most magnificent gift of eternal life with her God in paradise now. We thank God for loving Mama, and bringing her into His fold.We love you, Mama. You have always been our most favorite mother of all time. It is soothing to know you and Papa Herman are together again. Rest in God’s bosom forever. Please add these pictures to it.