Pasar Gede's facelift on hold

SURAKARTA, Central Java: The local administration has said the renovation of Pasar Gede market was unlikely to commence in the near future because only 40 percent of the necessary funds have been raised.

Head of the market management Triyanto told Antara on Friday that the fund-raisers had so far only managed to collect Rp 2.4 billion of the Rp 6.1 billion needed.

The mayoralty administration has considered asking for financial assistance from both the provincial and central governments, citing the fact that the market was a historical legacy, Triyanto said.

"We're focusing on fund-raising efforts as we don't want the renovation to be conducted only in part," he said.

Preparations for the renovation were expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The market, built by the Dutch in the early 1930s, was severely damaged by fire on April 29.

The market's former vendors are currently operating at Benteng Plaza, which is located in the square facing Surakarta palace.

"The problem is it blocks off the parking area and causes traffic jams, particularly when the town is holding the annual Sekaten fair," Triyanto said. The fair runs for one month in celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammad. (09)