Building damage angers government agency<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The City Museum and Restoration Agency has
\nregretted finding physical damage at the former Central Jakarta
\nimmigration office on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Head of the agency's program division, Indro Kusumo, said the
\nowner of the building never discussed plans to renovate the
\nbuilding with the agency.<\/p>\n
\"We'll soon write the city building control agency to take
\nfirm action against the owner,\" Indro told The Jakarta Post on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"Any renovation or construction project on a protected
\nbuilding is in violation of a 1999 city administration decree on
\nprotected buildings.\"<\/p>\n
The decree stipulates that any violation subjects the owner to
\na maximum sentence of six months in jail or a fine of up to Rp 5
\nmillion (US$625) if convicted.<\/p>\n
Sources said the building was now owned by the \"Cendana
\nfamily\", also known as the family of former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
The sole security guard in the building complex said the
\nbuilding was now owned by PT Mandala Griya Cipta, a construction
\ncompany.<\/p>\n
Indro said the 86-year-old building was grouped under the A
\ncategory of historical buildings, in which the original design of
\nthe building's front and back should be maintained.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very disappointed that damage has occurred, but the owner
\nnever informed or consulted us,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The company's president, Kenny Nanik, could not be reached for
\ncomment on Wednesday. His secretary, Rika, said Kenny was out of
\nthe office.<\/p>\n
Indro said the damage added to the number of altered
\nhistorical buildings in the city. Changes were made earlier to
\nthe Antara news agency building complex in Central Jakarta. A new
\nbuilding at the rear part of the complex now stands where the
\noriginal was demolished prior to construction.<\/p>\n
The former immigration office building, previously known as
\nBataviasche Kunstkring (the Batavia Cultural Center), is now
\nencircled with high gray zinc fences, while bricks and debris
\nlitter the area.<\/p>\n
Its window and door frames were removed and several parts of
\nthe roof were broken, while graffiti can be found on each wall.
\nIts beautiful antique floor has been ruined by debris.<\/p>\n
Junior preservationist Grace Pamungkas said the building dates
\nback to the Dutch colonial era. The building was used for art and
\ncultural performances during that time period.<\/p>\n
\"The building was frequently used as an arena for various
\nexhibitions. A monumental event was in 1925 when the 900-square-
\nmeter building was used as the site for the first architecture
\nexhibition in the country,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Grace said the exhibition, held in cooperation between the
\nNetherlands-Indie Architect Association and the cultural center,
\nmarked the beginning of modern architecture in the country.<\/p>\n
\"At that time, the exhibition got widespread publicity as many
\nbig newspapers covered the event,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The building was taken over by the Indonesian government and
\nwas then used as an immigration office, until early this year
\nwhen the office was relocated to Kemayoran subdistrict in Central
\nJakarta. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/building-damage-angers-government-agency-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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