New NTB Parliament Building to Be Set Back 20 Metres to Prevent Stone-Throwing During Protests

The construction of the new West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building is planned to be set back approximately 20 metres from the location of the old building, which was destroyed by fire during a demonstration on 30 August 2025. The shift in location is proposed to anticipate stone-throwing at the building during protests.

Dades Prinandes, Head of the NTB Building, Infrastructure, and Area Planning Agency (BPBPK), stated that his team is currently drafting the detailed engineering design (DED) for the new NTB DPRD building. The DED preparation began in April 2026 and is targeted for completion within six months. “The construction is planned to start in early 2027 with a single-year scheme,” Dades said during a visit from the Chair of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives on Wednesday (22/7/2026).

Dades explained that the new building will be constructed on a plot of approximately 97 are, with an estimated construction period of 11 months. The plan includes two main buildings: the parliamentary chamber and the offices for DPRD members. “There is also a proposal for supporting buildings such as a parking structure and an aspiration room, based on the suggestion of the NTB DPRD Chair,” he added.

The budget for the project has not yet been finalised by the central government, but it is confirmed to be included in the government’s development priority list. NTB DPRD Chair Baiq Isvie Rupaeda proposed the 20-metre setback to reduce the risk of damage from protests. “This DPRD office is the one that gets demonstrated against the most; in a month, it can happen up to 20 times,” Isvie lamented. She hopes the new aspiration room will allow protesters to be received indoors, eliminating the need for street demonstrations. The total cost is estimated at around IDR 200 billion.

Chair of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lasarus, responded positively to the proposal, stating that shifting the building’s location is feasible. He emphasised that the central government will fund the entire project to ensure rapid construction. “We want to make sure it’s peaceful. No more throwing stones at the DPRD building,” Lasarus said. He also instructed local officials to prepare for an early tender process so that construction can begin immediately once the budget is approved, aiming for a swift completion.