Councilors want careful study of police HQ deal
JAKARTA (JP): Councilors welcome the plan on the construction of the new City Police headquarters by a private developer on a barter basis, but warn that state interest must come first in such a deal.
Nawadji and Lukman F. Mokoginta of Commission D for development, said in separate interviews yesterday that they wanted the Ministry of Finance to study the barter deal thoroughly and carefully.
"The new building must have high economic value so as to prove that the barter deal is fair," said Nawadji, who chairs the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction.
The developer, PT Mandalapratama Permai, has assured that the barter deal with the police would be mutually beneficial.
Moniek S.W. Sudjatmoko, the company's director, told The Jakarta Post in an interview Wednesday that the company's proposal was going through the necessary procedures.
Moniek confirmed earlier statements by her boss Hutomo Mandala Putra that the proposal was at the Ministry of Defense and Security and would be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance. Tommy, as Hutomo is popularly known, would then seek the approval of the President as barter deals or sale of state properties worth more than Rp 10 billion must have the President's approval.
The estimated value of the property is Rp 538 billion including interest on loans for the period of the three-year deal.
Objection
Nawadji expressed objection that the city administration's role in the barter deal plan had been too trivial.
"It is like fait accompli to us as we are asked to approve something which has been approved at the upper level," Nawadji said, commenting on the fact that the proposal is at the Ministry of Defense and Security.
The developer will a build commercial center on the plot where the City Police headquarters is now standing. The new headquarters will also be built on the plot.
According to the miniature model, the commercial center will face Jl. Jend. Sudirman, while the new police office will face Jl. Gatot Subroto.
Nawadji said yesterday that according to the provincial decree, the location on Jl. Jend. Sudirman is for government offices. "The spatial plans will have to be changed."
Lukman F. Mokoginta of the Indonesian Democratic Party said it was the city administration which had the right to change the spatial planning. "This means that the city administration has a good bargaining position," he said. (sur/11)