View of NTB MTQ Venue Worth Rp 22 Billion in Central Lombok
The Bencingah Masmirah, or the venue for the Musabaqoh Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) at the provincial level in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), located to the east of the Central Lombok Regency Office, has been fully constructed. At a glance, the building appears grand and luxurious.
Observations show that Bencingah Masmirah consists of two structures: the bencingah in the southern section and a multi-purpose ballroom at the rear. The brown building with gold motifs rises high, facing Jalan Raya Raden Puguh in Praya, Central Lombok.
The facility, built with a budget of around Rp 22 billion, is now declared ready for use as the location for the NTB MTQ event planned for mid-June 2026. However, several aspects still need improvement, such as environmental landscaping, gardens, and irrigation.
The bencingah is situated in a strategic location. The building is to the east of the Central Lombok Regency Office, in front of the Poltekpar Lombok campus, and not far from the Institut Pemerintahan Dalam Negeri (IPDN) Lombok.
Central Lombok Regent Lalu Pathul Bahri explained that the construction of the NTB MTQ venue was completed by the end of December 2025. The project has also been handed over from the contractor to the relevant department.
“We held Lebaran Ketupat here (at Bencingah Masmirah). At the same time, ASN colleagues can see that this bencingah is already complete. In preparation for the upcoming MTQ,” said Pathul to the media after the Lebaran Ketupat and halal bihalal event at Bencingah Masmirah on Saturday (28/3/2026).
Pathul acknowledged that there are still issues with the landscaping around the main MTQ venue, which has not yet been arranged. This is because the previous year’s construction budget did not include landscaping, so it must be budgeted separately this year.
“The gardens—for the ta’aruf parade that will pass through here tomorrow. We’re thinking about it now (environmental arrangement),” he stated.
The Chairman of the Gerindra Party NTB DPD explained that the building is not only intended as an MTQ venue but can also be used as a multi-purpose hall for various community activities.
“After the MTQ is finished, we can use it for other activities as well. Of course, we need to think about the pattern for that later,” he emphasised.
The local government plans to complete several remaining facilities in the building. Pathul mentioned that the budgeting is planned through the 2026 APBD Amendment.
“We’re still considering it,” he concluded.