Banten councillors protest haj dormitory plan
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Banten provincial councillors objected to a decision by Tangerang regency administration to build the provincial haj dormitory on an 11-hectare site provided by PT Lippo Karawaci in Curug district, some 15 kilometers southwest of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
"Tangerang regent Ismet must stick with his initial proposal to build the haj dormitory in Sepatan district, as Governor Djoko Munandar issued a decree ensuring the construction of the dormitory in the district," said Banten Council representative Marzuki Raily from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
During a visit by councillors to Tangerang on Monday, Marzuki said that Sepatan was chosen because of its close location to the airport and reduced traffic congestion.
"I don't know if there is a game going on between Ismet and developer PT Lippo Karawaci. As far as I know, the developers must have a business interest at stake that enables them to be willing to provide land for the dormitory construction," Marzuki alleged.
He also pointed out that the regent's decision was against the gubernatorial decree.
"Ismet must have realized that Tangerang was chosen after the provincial administration had discussed it with the public and religious figures in Banten," he said.
Ismet defended his policy, saying that the site at Curug was larger than at Sepatan.
"The site at Sepatan is only five hectares and is productive for farming. If we build the dormitory there, we must clear six more hectares of productive farming land," he argued.
Sepatan ulemas had protested to Ismet before, saying that their area was only 10 minutes' driving time from the airport compared with the other districts of Curug and Pasar Kemis, which are in an industrial zone.
Should the construction of the new dormitory be completed, haj pilgrims from Banten province will no longer need to stay at the Pondok Gede haj dormitory in East Jakarta prior to their departure to Mecca.