Public told to watch HI renovation

Public told to watch HI renovation

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta, Jakarta

Heritage lovers expressed guarded optimism about the plan to
renovate Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta, as the dilapidated
condition of the building has hampered its business prospects.

However, they expressed apprehension over whether the
renovation would meet the required ruling to maintain the
41-year-old hotel's original design.

"I agree with the renovation plan in so far as it will help
the hotel's business. However, I'm concerned that the investor
may ignore the historical aspects of the building," Naniek
Widayati, director of the Center for Architecture and
Conservation, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

PT Cipta Karya Bumi Indah (PT CKBI), a subsidiary of Djarum
Group, has taken over the management of Hotel Indonesia and Inna
Wisata Hotel.

Naniek said that business interests often overlooked the value
of heritage sites. She cited Candra Naya, a Chinese mansion built
in the 19th century, as an example.

Located on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta, the mansion is not
visible as it is surrounded by modern buildings. The owner (of
the land on which new construction surrounding Candra Naya has
taken place) had planned to relocate the building to Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta, but the proposal has been
strongly opposed by the public.

Naniek called on the public to watch closely the renovation of
Hotel Indonesia, to avoid a similar fate to Candra Naya.

The new management of Hotel Indonesia has not submitted its
proposed renovation plan to the Jakarta Culture and Museum
Agency; a requirement before any renovation work can take place.

The agency's supervision division head, Candrian Attahiyyat,
pointed out that the renovation must not change the original
structure of the hotel building. He said the hotel management
must submit the proposal immediately so that it could be assessed
by a renovation assessment team.

President Director of PT Hotel Indonesia Natour, which manages
both hotels, A.M. Suseto said that the renovation would actually
highlight the original design of the hotel when it was officially
opened in 1962 to host the participants of the fourth Asian
Games.

The hotel's Bali wing and a canopy in the main lobby will be
demolished, while the number of rooms will be reduced from 600 to
300.

Inna Wisata Hotel will be torn down for the construction of a
super mall that will start in June.

The 30-year build operate and transfer agreement on the two
hotels was signed by the government and the investor in mid
February. The company will invest US$150 million for the hotel
renovation and the mall construction.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Hotel Indonesia employees -- who were
dismissed following the take over -- protested the decision at
the hotel's Ramayana restaurant.

"The management has refused to discuss compensation with the
employees," said John Sirait, the lawyer of the Hotel Indonesia
workers union.