Imagine Jakarta’s southeast. There lies Jonggol a town with a story. Jonggol is part of Bogor Regency in West Java Indonesia.
Jonggol sits 50 km southeast of Jakarta. It is part of the Greater Jakarta area. The Bekasi river flows through it. The land here spreads across 118.86 km2. In 2023, about 156,006 people called Jonggol home. This divides into 78,846 males and 77,160 females. Jonggol is not just a sub-district. It is a tourist area southeast of Jakarta.
Jonggol’s administrative center is the town of Jonggol. The district contains 14 villages. Each shares the postcode 16830.
Jonggol’s story stretches back to Dutch rule. It was the heart of a larger area Kawedanan Jonggol. After Indonesia’s independence, there were plans to revive this area. The plan never materialized. Yet in 2010, Jonggol was in talks to become Indonesia’s new capital.
The average height in Jonggol is 295 meters. It reaches 732 meters at Mount Baud in Sukamakmur. The lowest point is 150 meters above the sea.
Traveling to Jonggol is easy. The Jagorawi Toll Road leads to Cibubur at KM 21. The Cimanggis-Cibitung Toll Road goes to Jatikarya at KM 16. Also the Padaleunyi Toll Road arrives at Padalarang at KM 92.
Jonggol experiences a tropical rainforest climate. Rain falls heavily throughout the year. The average high temperature is 30.3°C. The average low is 25.0°C. Rainfall averages 3440 mm annually.
In the 1950s, Jonggol became a guerrilla zone. Before that, it was a guerilla area. It was used by the 3rd Siliwangi Battalion. Mayor Hartono Rekso Dharsono led them during the Independence War.
Under Dutch rule, Jonggol faced unrest. A gang stirred up trouble there. Their leader was caught and put on trial.
After independence, Haji Engkar led a DI/TII resistance in Jonggol. He commanded 400-500 followers near Bogor and Cianjur. Early on, Haji Engkar’s forces caused problems. They attacked villages and stole money.
By 1953, Haji Engkar’s power weakened. The Indonesian Army pursued him. His troops were scattered. One commander died in Citeureup.
Haji Engkar’s relationship with DI/TII worsened. In 1954, he formed his own group. It was called Tentara Achli Sunah wal Djamaah. Kartosuwiryo ordered Haji Engkar’s execution.
In mid-1955, Haji Engkar surrendered in Jonggol. The Regent of Bogor welcomed him. Jonggol has seen change. It has transformed from a Dutch center to a guerrilla base. It was even considered as a capital. Today Jonggol welcomes visitors with its rich history.