City threatens to demolish Jasa Marga building

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso threatened toll operator PT Jasa Marga that the city administration would demolish Wisma Singalaga, a commercial building owned by the company, located beside former Kebon Jeruk toll gate in West Jakarta, because the building was built without a building permit.

"We have sent a warning letter to PT Jasa Marga about the building. Should the company not take any action, the administration will demolish it," Sutiyoso told reporters, after speaking at a seminar on floods at Trisakti University in Grogol, West Jakarta, on Wednesday.

He also warned that the license permit issued was only for a temporary building.

"As a state-owned company, we expect PT Jasa Marga to give an example to the public," he said.

Head of the department of city planning, Setiawan Kanani, said the two-story building violated the city plan, as the lot should not be converted into a commercial area.

Wisma Singalaga was built to support the Jakarta to Tangerang toll road in 1989. However, in January this year, PT Jasa Marga moved the toll gate to Karang Tengah, located 6.5 kilometers west of Kebon Jeruk. However, Wisma Singalaga was maintained and renovated to continue serving the Kebon Jeruk toll exit.

A part of the building has also been rented out to Standard Chartered Bank.

PT Jasa Marga spokesman Satria Ganefanto, admitted the building's construction was not completed with a building permit.

"The building and business permits of Wisma Singalaga are still being processed," he said.

He strongly opposed the demolition threat.

"If the building is demolished, where should we move the administrative office of Kebon Jeruk toll road," he said.