Banten to build haj dormitory

Banten to build haj dormitory

TANGERANG: After years of aborted planning, the Tangerang
regency is to finally build a haj dormitory for Banten province
in Bojong Nangka, Legok, about 15 kilometers south of the
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

"We have acquired a 14-hectare plot of land for the dormitory.
We will start construction work after the central government
approves the plan," Regent Ismet Iskandar told The Jakarta Post
on Saturday.

The previous plan in 2003 for the dormitory was in Sepatan,
about three kilometers from the airport. Project financier, the
Ministry of Religious Affairs had approved the plan, however, the
administration canceled it with little explanation.

The administration has appointed construction company PT Lippo
Karawaci Tbk to handle the project.

Ismet said he had requested the Ministry of Transportation to
convert the Budiarto air base in Curug into a commercial airport.

The base is currently used as a flight training center for the
Indonesian State Aviation School (STPI).

"If the ministry approves our proposal, we can use the airport
for haj pilgrims and as a cargo terminal because the location is
close to the Jakarta-Merak toll road that connects the air and
seaports," Ismet said.--JP