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