"Can't Ignore the Status of a Cultural Heritage Site, Pramono Invites the Central Government to Sit Together to Discuss the Discourse of Building the MUI Building at HI Roundabout"

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that he would sit down with the central government to discuss President Prabowo Subianto's plan to build a 40-story Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) building in the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area.

The planned location is on the land of the former British Embassy building. The plan has become a public concern because the former British Embassy building has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Building since 2016.

The status is contained in the Decree of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Number 1960 of 2016 concerning the Determination of Buildings and Structures as Cultural Heritage.

Pramono emphasized that the status of a cultural heritage is an important aspect that cannot be ignored in any development plan in the area.

"As we all know, the former British Embassy has been a cultural heritage since 2016. And for that, yes, it will have to be resolved, and will sit together with the central government with the DKI Jakarta Government and also related agencies," said Pramono in Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 10.

He said, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government in principle supports every policy taken by the President. However, this support remains within the corridor of applicable rules and procedures.

"In principle, the Jakarta government supports, supports whatever the President decides. But in supporting it, of course, all the stages that need to be passed must be passed," said Pramono.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto stated that he had prepared land measuring approximately 4,000 square meters in the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area, Central Jakarta, for the construction of a building that would be used by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and various Islamic institutions.

This was conveyed by Prabowo when giving a briefing on the agenda for the inauguration of the MUI management for the 2025-2030 period at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Saturday, February 7.

"I can say that I as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, I have provided land in front of HI roundabout of approximately 4,000 meters for a building for the MUI and for Islamic bodies," said Prabowo.

Prabowo explained that the building was planned to be a center for the activities of a number of Islamic institutions, including the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) and Islamic community organizations that need office space.

He said the plan to build a building as high as 40 floors was a follow-up to the request of the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque and Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar, who previously said that the MUI office currently did not have a representative location.

"I'm sorry. I don't know exactly where the MUI office is. But later the offices of Islamic institutions will be in the heart of the capital city of Jakarta," he said.

In addition, Prabowo also touched on the plan to establish a fund management institution for the community. "If I'm not mistaken, a fund management institution for the community will be formed," he continued.