JAKARTA: The City Council urged Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday to reject a proposal to demolish the Candra Naya building, stressing that it was the city administration's responsibility to protect the city's cultural heritage.
"Such a building is protected by law, therefore if the city administration allows its demolition we will take legal action," said Audi Tambunan, a member of the council's Commission E for public welfare.
Candra Naya is thought to be the oldest surviving example of Chinese architecture in the country. The owner of the property wants to demolish the building and develop the property. A replica of the Candra Naya would be built at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta.
Opponents to the plan include those working to save the city's heritage, the city culture and museum agency and the Office of the State Minister for Culture and Tourism.
Sutiyoso has yet to announce his stance on the issue, saying he will consult with officials in the city administration before making any decision.--JP
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Batavia Portico replica planned
JAKARTA: A replica of a 17th century gate, the Batavia Portico, will be constructed at the entrance of the Fish Market in West Jakarta, near the Museum Bahari, a city official said on Sunday.
Candrian Atahyat, head of the supervisory department at the Culture and Museum Agency, said his agency would discuss the plan with shop owners whose stores occupy the proposed location for the portico.
He said the shops' permits expired in 2005, after which the area would be cleared for the Batavia Portico.
The gate was originally made in the 17th century in the Netherlands. However, it never reached Jakarta because the ship carrying it, the Batavia, sank off the coast of western Australian in 1629.
In 1962, the Batavia was found along with its cargo, including the gate, which was later displayed at the Geraldton Museum in western Australia.
"We are trying to get the gate back here," Candrian said. --Antara
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Council demands heritage building be restored
JAKARTA: The City Council has demanded that the original ornaments of a heritage building in Menteng be located and reinstalled during the building's renovation.
The building, which was purchased by the city administration for Rp 28 billion (approximately US$3.37 million), is a former immigration office. It is located at Jl. Teuku Umar No. 1 in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
The spokesman for the council's Commission E for people's welfare, Nazamuddin, said on Sunday the council only approved the purchase on the condition that the original ornaments be found and reinstalled.
He also demanded that the city administration elaborate on the whereabouts of the ornaments, considering that renovation work on the building was about to begin.
The administration has claimed that the ornaments are in the possession of a collector, who has promised to turn them over once renovation of the building gets under way, according to Nazamuddin, who does not know the name of the collector.
The building, the first structure in Indonesia to use reinforced concrete, was opened in 1914, when it was called the Nederland-Indische Kunstring de Batavia (Batavia's circle of arts). It will be renovated at the cost of Rp 6.75 billion, which will come from the 2003 city budget. --Antara