The home of Indonesia’s third president, known affectionately as B.J. Habibie, is now open to the public. Named Wisma Habibie and Ainun (WHA), Jakarta’s newest historical landmark showcases the legacy of the former president and his wife Ainun, who immortalized the values of love, intellectualism, and democracy through their life’s journey together.
NOW! Jakarta had the opportunity to visit WHA before it’s official opening in February 2025. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie and his wife Hasri Ainun Besari were beloved national figures remembered and respected for their dedication to Indonesia. A memoir about their inspiring love story, ‘Habibie & Ainun’, was adapted to the big screen in 2012, receiving three Piala Citra awards, which recognises the best in Indonesian cinema, and becoming the country’s highest-grossing film of all time.
At WHA, visitors can explore the most significant moments of Indonesian history, especially B.J. Habibie’s contributions to its technological and democratic advancements, as well as experience past ways of life through personal artifacts, photographs, paintings, and memorabilia.
Nadia Habibie, the granddaughter of B.J. Habibie and official WHA Ambassador, welcomed NOW! Jakarta in Rumah Pendopo, the most historical part of the house which features lavish Javanese-style architecture and wood carvings illuminated by an abundance of natural light.
“My grandfather wanted this building to be of use to the country and the people of Indonesia. That became our mandate in opening Wisma Habibie and Ainun,” she said. “We still used this building for special events because we respect the legacy of my grandparents, and now it is time to open it exclusively to the public. Why exclusive? There are several things that we must maintain here, including the visitors’ experience, so that the meaning of this building does not become lost. Our purpose is to spread the values that our grandparents fought for to inspire the next generation.”
Standing in front of photographs of B.J. Habibie and Ainun during their time as president and first lady, Nadia explained that Rumah Pendopo was established in 1978. It would later serve as a silent witness to B.J. Habibie’s commitment to nurturing the seeds of democracy in Indonesia and many important events, especially during the Reform Era.
In this room on 20 May 1998, when the country found itself at a critical junction in its history following the fall of the New Order government, then-vice president B.J. Habibie was told that he would be replacing Soeharto, who had been forced to step down. The next day, on 21 May 1998, B.J. Habibie was inaugurated as president of Indonesia.
During his tenure, he surprised critics and pundits alike by presiding over a series of democratic reforms, and Rumah Pendopo played host to many related meetings and conversations. Within its walls, Habibie changed more than 200 laws and regulations, including those that provided more freedom to the press, regulated political parties, gave more autonomy to several regions, and allowed an independence referendum for East Timor.
B.J. Habibie also held democratic elections three years earlier than scheduled, which resulted in the end of his presidential term. This marked a historic moment as it made him Indonesia’s shortest-running president, serving from 1998 to 1999.
Next to Rumah Pendopo lies a tranquil memorial space adorned with an arrangement of jasmine, tuberose, and roses. This was once the resting place of B.J. Habibie and Ainun, before they were buried at Kalibata Public Cemetery. Visitors may offer a prayer for the couple and honour their memory.
Moving on to the Library, the room is a powerful symbol of B.J. Habibie’s intellectual pursuits and vision for Indonesia’s future. This part of the house also reflects his lifelong dedication to knowledge and progress in the field of transportation technology, displaying miniatures of the N-250 Gatotkaca, Indonesia’s first domestically designed and manufactured plane through PT Dirgantara Indonesia (formerly IPTN), and the CN-235, a turboprop-powered aircraft made in collaboration with CASA Spain. They stand alongside miniatures of long-boats, trains, and rockets, another reminder of his dream of developing a “strategic industry” for an archipelagic country that needed various modes of transportation, not just planes.
Here, visitors can also explore B.J. Habibie’s personal collection of over 5,000 books, which are currently in the process of being digitized so they can be accessed by the public. Despite B.J. Habibie’s reputation as Indonesia’s Father of Technology, the collection does not include many books on the subject.
“The books are mostly about culture, civilization, and national figures. Why not technology? Because B.J. Habibie wanted the people who came here to know their culture first. So, before creating innovations, we must connect with our roots first,” said Archie Wirija, another grandchild of the former president. “This positive synergy between culture and religion produces faith and piety. When science and piety are connected, they will create good innovations — that is B.J. Habibie’s message.”
WHA also serves as an event space, unique gatherings, celebrations, and ceremonies. But more than that, WHA is an ode to love and devotion as the manifestation of B.J. Habibie and Ainun’s commitment to one another and to Indonesia.
To join a historical tour of WHA, register via bit.ly/wismahabibieainun. Entrance tickets are priced at of IDR 175,000 per person. Visitors must be over 13 years old.
WHA is open two days a week (Saturdays and Sundays/Saturdays and Wednesdays) and offers three tours a day (10am to 11.30am, 1pm to 2.30pm, 4pm to 5.30pm). Each session is limited to 60 people. Detailed schedules and information are available on WHA’s official Instagram page @wismahabibieainun.
Wisma Habibie & Ainun
Jl. Patra Kuningan XIII No. 5,
Kuningan, South Jakarta
+62 821 2588 8118
