No plan to build apartment on soccer field

No plan to build apartment on soccer field

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja toned down fears
yesterday that a soccer field, a rare thing in the city, would
have to make way for an apartment project.

He denied reports that a five-story apartment building would
be built on a soccer field managed by the Jakarta Soccer
Association, Persija, in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

It was earlier reported that a private investor sent a
proposal to the city to build an apartment at the request of
Persija executives.

"It's not true," Surjadi said yesterday.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi had said the plan was
initially proposed by the association and his mayoralty had
approved it.

He had said the project, if approved, would not take up the
entire field. He declined to identify the apartment developer.

The city assistant secretary on economic and development
affairs, Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, said earlier that the private
company to build the apartment had sent the proposal to the
municipality.

He said the field "would only have to move a bit".

The head of City Planning, Ahmaddin Ahmad, said Tuesday the
plan to build the apartment building in the field was against
designated land use in the area.

"Land use in the area is set up for green areas and sports
facilities," Ahmaddin said.

He suggested that the municipality consider the plan carefully
before giving its approval.

Councilor Zakiruddin Djamin of the Golkar faction said earlier
the plan should be rejected, saying the city needed the sports
facility.

"What will happen to soccer in Jakarta if the field is turned
into an apartment building?" he asked.

He suggested that the municipality build more apartments in
East Jakarta.

"Don't replace sports facilities (with apartments). In Central
Jakarta, there are already many apartments," Zakiruddin said.
(ste)