Building damage angers government agency

JAKARTA (JP): The City Museum and Restoration Agency has regretted finding physical damage at the former Central Jakarta immigration office on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Head of the agency's program division, Indro Kusumo, said the owner of the building never discussed plans to renovate the building with the agency.

"We'll soon write the city building control agency to take firm action against the owner," Indro told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

"Any renovation or construction project on a protected building is in violation of a 1999 city administration decree on protected buildings."

The decree stipulates that any violation subjects the owner to a maximum sentence of six months in jail or a fine of up to Rp 5 million (US$625) if convicted.

Sources said the building was now owned by the "Cendana family", also known as the family of former president Soeharto.

The sole security guard in the building complex said the building was now owned by PT Mandala Griya Cipta, a construction company.

Indro said the 86-year-old building was grouped under the A category of historical buildings, in which the original design of the building's front and back should be maintained.

"I'm very disappointed that damage has occurred, but the owner never informed or consulted us," he said.

The company's president, Kenny Nanik, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. His secretary, Rika, said Kenny was out of the office.

Indro said the damage added to the number of altered historical buildings in the city. Changes were made earlier to the Antara news agency building complex in Central Jakarta. A new building at the rear part of the complex now stands where the original was demolished prior to construction.

The former immigration office building, previously known as Bataviasche Kunstkring (the Batavia Cultural Center), is now encircled with high gray zinc fences, while bricks and debris litter the area.

Its window and door frames were removed and several parts of the roof were broken, while graffiti can be found on each wall. Its beautiful antique floor has been ruined by debris.

Junior preservationist Grace Pamungkas said the building dates back to the Dutch colonial era. The building was used for art and cultural performances during that time period.

"The building was frequently used as an arena for various exhibitions. A monumental event was in 1925 when the 900-square- meter building was used as the site for the first architecture exhibition in the country," she said.

Grace said the exhibition, held in cooperation between the Netherlands-Indie Architect Association and the cultural center, marked the beginning of modern architecture in the country.

"At that time, the exhibition got widespread publicity as many big newspapers covered the event," she said.

The building was taken over by the Indonesian government and was then used as an immigration office, until early this year when the office was relocated to Kemayoran subdistrict in Central Jakarta. (ind)