Fadel Muhammad told to halt house renovation

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The City Building Supervision Agency sent a second warning to Fadel Muhammad, the incumbent governor of Gorontalo, on Monday to halt renovation work on his house.

City spokesman Muhayat said the agency had sent the second warning to Fadel to halt the renovations and return the house to its original state within seven days.

"After seven days, we will send a final warning. If that is ignored the agency will order the building be sealed," he said.

The first warning, which gave Fadel 14 days to return the building to its original state, was sent on Sept. 29.

The house is located on Jl. Suwiryo in Menteng, Central Jakarta. A 1975 gubernatorial decree permits only limited changes to buildings in the Menteng area.

Fadel's Dutch-style house in Menteng is in the process of being turned into a two-story modern building.

M. Suhardyoko, head of supervision at the City Planning Map Agency, said the house in question was categorized as Type B, meaning necessary renovations should not change the original architecture of the building or its roof.

Another gubernatorial decree issued in 1975 states that the owners of buildings located in Menteng must submit any renovation plans to the Team of City Architectural Advisers (TPAK).

A recommendation from this team is then sent to the City Planning Agency and the City Building Supervision Agency for approval. The latter agency issues permits for building renovations.

"Until now, we have not received a recommendation from TPAK. I don't think the house owner has secured a permit to renovate the house," Suhardyoko said.

Fadel could not be reached for comment.