Surjadi checks preparation for the press center project

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja checked yesterday on the latest preparations for the establishment of a press center building, the first ever in the country.

Jakarta needed a press center, which would also function as the center of information and news sources in Indonesia, to help strengthen the capital's status as a service city, Surjadi said.

The Jakarta Press Center will be built on Jl. Suryopranoto, Central Jakarta, which is currently used as the secretariat of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).

"Jakarta is home to at least 140 print media offices from all parts of Indonesia, six television stations, around 40 foreign media bureaus, and hundreds of radio stations," Surjadi said.

"This shows how important the media's influence is in society and that's why they have to serve not only as an entertainment source but also as an education source with reliable analysis of current affairs," Surjadi said.

The construction of the project, which will be wholly financed by the city administration, is scheduled to begin in December. In the first stage, which is expected to be completed in two years, the building will consist of nine stories.

In the second stage the center will be extended by up to five other floors, depending on the requirements.

However, Surjadi also said that the funding would probably not be continuous, meaning that at times it might be stopped or reduced due to various problems.

"That's why I also ask City Council Speaker Edi Waluyo to make sure that the funding can proceed smoothly," he said.

He said that the building would function as a center where journalists from all media in Indonesia, especially those in Jakarta, could meet and exchange ideas.

"A press center is common in other major capital cities, such as in Singapore, Washington and Tokyo," he said.

Yesterday's ceremony was also attended by Central Jakarta Major Abdul Kahfi, Edi Waluyo, the head of the PWI, Sofyan Lubis, the head of PWI's Jakarta's branch, Tarman Azzam, and senior journalist Rosihan Anwar. (12)