KDM Cuts Governor's Facilities for Gedung Sate Revitalisation, Budget for Clothing to Official Vehicles Slashed
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has emphasised that plans to revitalise the Gedung Sate area will not touch the main building. According to him, the revitalisation will focus solely on expanding and improving the courtyard for public space purposes.
This clarification comes amid public attention regarding the proposed changes to this iconic West Java landmark. Dedi assured that Gedung Sate, as a cultural heritage building, will not be altered. The West Java Provincial Government will only improve the outer areas to integrate with Gasibu Field.
“This is not about changing Gedung Sate. It is a heritage building protected by law,” he stated on Sunday (19/4/2026).
According to him, the revitalisation is intended to meet the need for more spacious, well-organised, and comfortable public spaces in central Bandung. Integration with Gasibu is expected to create an open area that the public can utilise to the fullest.
In addition to the area revitalisation, the West Java Provincial Government is also carrying out maintenance on the building, including painting Gedung Sate, which has not been done for a long time. However, this process cannot be done arbitrarily as it requires permission from the Ministry of Culture.
He acknowledged that the cost of maintaining a heritage building is not cheap. However, this is seen as a consequence of preserving historical heritage. “Even the paint price is astonishing. But this is part of our love for historical relics,” said the governor, familiarly known as KDM.
He also emphasised that although Gedung Sate is a relic from the Dutch colonial era, its historical value remains part of the nation’s identity that must be maintained.
KDM gave an example of a similar experience when revitalising the Kian Santang Town Square area and the pendopo in Purwakarta. Projects that once drew criticism, according to him, are now public spaces enjoyed by the community.
“It was protested back then, but now the results can be felt together,” he said.