Firm to manage city's housing complex

JAKARTA (JP): The municipality is in the process of handing over management of its housing complex for high-ranking officials in Pejaten Mas, South Jakarta, to other parties due to a lack of maintenance funds, an official said yesterday.

Deputy Governor of Economic and Financial Affairs Harun Al Rasyid said that besides the fund shortage, only two of the 14 houses were occupied.

"The maintenance for these houses costs up to Rp 30 million per month. Imagine, in one year the city could spend hundreds of millions of rupiah just to pay for vacant houses."

He said the municipality plans to allow city-owned developer PD Sarana Jaya manage the complex.

Under the plan, the houses can be used to generate more revenue for the city.

"It would be such a loss if the houses were abandoned. The city hopes to gain a profit if those houses are used, for instance, as a conference center or public building."

The 3.7-hectare housing complex has 14 luxurious residences, measuring between 500 square meters and 1,000 square meters each.

If the plan works, the municipality will build a small four- story condominium on a plot near the complex to replace the houses, Harun said.

"The municipality still owns three wide plots there."

Currently the governor is discussing the best options possible.

"We have several alternatives ... but the bottom line is we want to cut unnecessary expenses. In these difficult times, we have to be smart to gain profits for the city."

He said most of the houses were empty because the city's high- ranking officials have their own houses in other areas.

"It's quite difficult to get officials to occupy the houses ... Almost everybody has their own needs. Moreover high- ranking officials are very mobile."

The house complex was built in 1992 and is currently under the supervision of the city's General Bureau.

Head of the city's Program Bureau Hadi Laksana supported the idea.

"It is better to let other parties handle the maintenance and make good use of the houses, rather than just abandoning them," Hadi said Thursday.

"One thing is for sure, the property will still belong to the city. PD Sarana Jaya and other interested parties will only be in charge of its maintenance and management."

PD Sarana Jaya spokesman Brandjangan said the company was working out the details of the plan.

"If the governor agrees with the whole plan ... yes, we'll probably manage the houses," he said.

City councilor Lukman Mokoginta of Commission D for public works, development and environmental affairs said the municipality must consult the City Council before making new arrangements for the complex.

"It is important to get the council's approval because the plot is one of the city's properties. Therefore, the council must be notified of any changes within the plots to avoid any possible malfeasance in the future," he added. (edt)