Council to build new building

Council to build new building

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

City council members moved forward with plans for a new
building equipped with sauna and fitness facilities as the
council's deputy chairman Tarmidi Suhardjo revealed on Tuesday a
construction plan valued at Rp 30.5 billion (US$3.05 million) for
the new city council building.

"Actually, it's an extension of the council's old building,"
Tarmidi, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle's city chapter, told reporters.

He said the new seven-story building would be built on the
site that is currently occupied by the city's revenue agency
building located adjacent to the current council building on Jl.
Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

He said, if it was approved the construction of the new
extension would be funded by the 2002 city budget.

"The council's leaders will meet on Friday to discuss the
proposal. We will also listen to the voice of the people and find
out whether they agree or not," he said.

Tarmidi claimed that the current building which was designed
for 40 council members was no longer adequate for the 85 which
now occupy it.

He said the new building would be designed for 100 city
legislators due to the possibility that 15 may be added if
Kepulauan Seribu (the Thousand Islands) becomes a regency in the
future.

The three-story revenue office will be demolished and a new
one is set to be built in Kalibata, South Jakarta for
approximately Rp 60 billion.

Council members had complained to the administration on
several occasions about the need for a new building, equipped
with facilities such as the fitness center, which their fellow
civil servants at City Hall have.

At least one dissenting voice was heard when chairman of the
Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) Azas Tigor Nainggolan, criticized
the plan, saying it was a waste of a lot of money in a city where
many citizens are still struggling against poverty.

"A new building is not an urgent matter. The council members
are just demanding more facilities, but they have not improved
their record of developing the city," Tigor told The Jakarta
Post.

He said the current building is still adequate for the 85
civil servants.

He urged political parties to admonish their respective
council members for demanding more facilities which would be
taken from the city budget.

"They should use their own money and become a member of a
private fitness center somewhere. Do not use people's money,"
Tigor implored.

He predicted that the City administration would fulfill the
council members demand for the new building since Governor
Sutiyoso wants to appease the legislators ahead of next year's
reelection bid.