Information on IMB hard to locate

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Incognito at first, The Jakarta Post reporter tried applying for a new construction permit (IMB) and sought information at the West Jakarta municipality earlier this month.

On the first visit to the city planning section, she asked where to apply for a new IMB certificate. An official behind a counter welcomed her and told her to bring all the required documentation, such as a copy of the land certificate, of the applicant's ID card and copies of transaction documents.

Later, though, when she said that she was there only to look for more information on official procedures in applying for IMB certificates, the same man who welcomed her before told her that it was the wrong place.

Another floor in the building housed the land and cartography section. According to the man at the city planning section, that was the right place to apply for an IMB certificate.

She asked an official for information on procedures for applying for a new IMB certificate. The man asked his friend to do her a favor.

Unfortunately, his friend was not very friendly. He raised his eyebrows and refused to comment. He told the visitor to meet the chief of the subsection who, however, turned out to be out of town.