IPB told to stop BAC development

BOGOR: Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo has ordered the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) to stop the development of the Bogor Agribusiness Center (BAC) on its property on Jl. Pajajaran, Baranangsiang, Bogor.

In a letter to IPB Rector Ahmad Ansory Matjik dated Dec. 30, Bambang said the development of a commercial area on campus violated existing regulations.

Previously, the Ministry of Finance had also written a similar letter to the institute, stressing that the utilization of state land for commercial purposes required a permit from the President through the ministry.

Many IPB students and lecturers had opposed the Rp 148 billion (US$16.4 million) project.

IPB Care Forum chairman A.M. Satari said he had distributed copies of Bambang's letter to all parties at the institute who were concerned about the project.

He also claimed to have told the ITB rector to stop the center's development as demanded by the government. -- JP