Govt to speed up processing of permits for ravaged buildings

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will speed up the processing of permits for renovations on buildings destroyed during last week's rioting, an official has said.

"The procedure of the permit processing will be different from that on ordinary days. What's important is how the buildings can be renovated as soon as possible because most of them are badly needed to help the city's business activities recover," Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budiardjo Soekmadi said Wednesday.

"If we find that everything is okay, we will immediately release the permits."

At least 4,940 buildings, including traditional markets, shopping centers, banks, fuel stations and residences, were damaged in varying degrees during the massive rioting, looting and burning throughout the city last week.

Losses in the city were estimated at Rp 2.5 trillion.

Budiardjo said that before the issuance of renovation permits, the buildings' worthiness, safety and strength should be thoroughly checked by the city's building control and development agency.

"This requirement should be met to avoid the possibility of something wrong from happening later. It is for the sake of people's safety.

"What if the buildings collapse just after the renovation?"

Budiardjo said the administration might reject applications for the renovation permits if findings from the building control and development agency showed that the condition of the buildings was no longer favorable.

Lukman Mokoginta, a member of City Council Commission D for development affairs, welcomed the administration's pledge.

He urged the administration to immediately announce it to the general public.

"It has happened many times that people were not well informed about the administration's wise steps. I think it will be better if officials announce it at subdistrict offices, for example," he said. (ind)