Who Owns Hotel Sultan Jakarta as Its Land Faces Execution Today?
The former land of Hotel Sultan Jakarta in Block 15 of Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) was executed today. A total of 3,161 joint personnel were deployed for security. “For the security of the execution of the former Hotel Sultan, the number of security personnel is 3,161,” said Central Jakarta Metro Police Head of Public Relations, First Inspector Erlyn Sumantri, in a statement in Jakarta, as reported by Antara news agency on Thursday (18/6/2026).
Based on its official website, Hotel Sultan Jakarta is located on Jl. Gatot Subroto, RT.2/RW.1, Gelora, Tanah Abang District, Central Jakarta. Hotel Sultan Jakarta was previously managed by PT Indobuildco, with Pontjo Sutowo as its President Director.
As compiled by detikcom, Pontjo Sutowo was born on 17 August 1950. He is the son of Ibnu Sutowo, the Director of Pertamina during the New Order era. Pontjo Sutowo began his business career by establishing a shipbuilding company called PT Adiguna Shipyard. With capital provided by his father, he founded the shipyard company named PT Adiguna Shipyard in 1970 and Pontjo became its president director at that time. From the shipyard business at PT Adiguna Shipyard, around 1980 Pontjo then ventured into the hospitality industry. In this field, Pontjo started his career from the Hilton Hotel (now Hotel Sultan), which had existed since 1976.
This dispute has essentially been ongoing for approximately 26 years. The conflict is between the Gelora Bung Karno Complex Management Centre (PPKGBK) and PT Indobuildco, owned by Pontjo Sutowo. It all began regarding the status of the Block 15 GBK land. On that block now stands Hotel Sultan. Building Use Rights (HGB) Number 26 and 27 in the name of PT Indobuildco were declared expired and not extended by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN). PPKGBK then stated that the land is a state asset and must be returned. However, Pontjo’s side disagreed.
The government, through the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) and PPKGBK, subsequently submitted an execution request to the Central Jakarta District Court in February 2026. The Central Jakarta District Court then granted the request.
Supporters Reject Hotel Sultan Execution
A group of people gathered to reject the Hotel Sultan execution. According to detikcom’s observation at the location on Thursday (18/6/2026) at 08:00 WIB, the crowd gathered in front of the Hotel Sultan lobby while chanting for the court not to execute the hotel. The crowd repeatedly chanted ‘Pribumi unite, defend Hotel Sultan!’. The crowd was seen wearing accessories in the form of red and white flag bracelets. They were led by an orator in front of a command vehicle. Several banners were also unfurled at the location. Some were placed on room balconies, others were installed in front of the hotel. Some of the banners read ‘Reject execution or seizure of indigenous entrepreneur’s business’, ‘Hotel Sultan execution violates human rights’, and ‘Hotel Sultan is not a GBK asset’. Meanwhile, security officers from the police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) were seen at the location. They were on guard while occasionally moving back and forth in formation.
Several Areas in GBK Closed
Several points in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) area will be temporarily closed in connection with the execution of the eviction of the former Hotel Sultan (Block 15 GBK Area). Based on official information from the GBK management (Instagram @love_gbk), here are the details of the temporary closures in the GBK area today, Thursday (18/6/2026).
- Access to Gate 5, Gate 7, & Gate 8
Thursday, 18 June 2026 from 00.00 to 24.00
Temporary closure of Gate 5, Gate 7, & Gate 8 for the execution of the eviction of the former Hotel Sultan (Block 15 GBK Area)
Entry and exit access diverted to Gate 2, Gate 10, & Gate 6 (Pedestrians)
- East Parking, City Forest, Softball Stadium, & JI. KTT to JICC
Thursday, 18 June 2026 from 00.00 to 24.00
Temporary closure of East Parking, City Forest, Softball Stadium, & JI. KTT to JICC for the execution of the eviction of the former Hotel Sultan (Block 15 GBK Area)
Other GBK areas and facilities continue to operate as usual