New Episode in the Hotel Sultan Dispute, Hamdan Zoelva: Indobuildco to the Supreme Court

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A new phase in the dispute over the management of the Hotel Sultan has begun. After the Administrative Court High Court (PTUN) annulled the previous ruling that had briefly favoured PT Indobuildco, the hot potato is now in the Supreme Court.

Indobuildco’s legal counsel, Hamdan Zoelva, confirmed that his client would not sit idly by in facing the decision. ‘Indobuildco has filed a cassation to the MA,’ Hamdan told CNBC Indonesia on Thursday (5 March 2026).

This legal step was taken after PT TUN issued decision No. 13/B/2026/PT.TUN.JKT which annulled the first instance decision. The ruling also strengthens the government’s position in the restructuring of Block 15 in the GBK area, including the Hotel Sultan, which has been managed by Indobuildco’s Pontjo Sutowo’s company. With this condition, the prospects of the dispute going to cassation are wide open.

‘TIt should have already been submitted; I need to check with the team,’ Hamdan said.

As is known, previously Jakarta PTUN had granted Indobuildco’s suit against the Minister Secretary of State concerning the Hotel Sultan land. But on appeal, the court found the suit inadmissible, while emphasising that the issues of royalty payment and eviction of the land are civil matters, not within PTUN’s authority.

President Director of PPKGBK, Rakhmadi Afif Kusumo, said the ruling strengthens the legal clarity that previously existed. ‘PPKGBK is obliged to ensure that state assets are managed in accordance with the laws to maximise public interest,’ Rakhmadi said, quoted on Thursday (5/3/2026).