Pramono Dismisses Rumours of Relocating IKJ to Kota Tua

Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung has clarified the issue of relocating the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ). He emphasised that the DKI Provincial Government has no plans to move the arts campus, but is instead preparing new spaces for expression for artists in the Kota Tua area.

“So I want to clarify, IKJ or the artists will be given spaces to express themselves as widely as possible in Kota Tua. That there will be a building we prepare for IKJ, yes. But after we study it, we will not then relocate IKJ, no,” said Pramono at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Thursday (9/4).

According to him, relocating IKJ could potentially shift the main objective of developing Kota Tua as a culture-based tourism destination.

The area, he said, is directed to become a living space for arts activities and the preservation of Jakarta’s culture.

“Because relocating IKJ would then shift the main objective (because) for Kota Tua as a place for us to be a tourism destination, nurturing culture,” he said.

Pramono noted that the character of Kota Tua is similar to historical areas in Europe. He assessed that the area could be developed as a strong showcase of Jakarta’s culture.

“Kota Tua is actually like the Amsterdam of the Netherlands because they are of the same type,” he stated.

The DKI Provincial Government is also preparing transit-oriented development (TOD)-based construction on a large scale in the area. Integration of transportation and public spaces is believed to strengthen Kota Tua’s attractiveness as a tourism destination as well as a centre for arts activities.

“So once again, friends, there will be a large TOD in Kota Tua, definitely,” Pramono stressed.