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.