New Building at the Palace is Spotlighted, Fadli Zon Ensures It Will Not Disturb Cultural Heritage

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon ensures that the construction of a new building in the Jakarta Presidential Palace area is not problematic from the cultural heritage side. According to Fadli, the building does not stand by dismantling the building that has been designated as a cultural heritage.

Fadli said the Ministry of Culture had coordinated the construction. He said the Istana area did have a cultural heritage building, but the highlighted project did not touch that part.

"There, there. There is no problem I guess. We have buildings that are cultural heritage. This is not in a cultural heritage building. So there is no problem," said Fadli at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 7.

According to Fadli, a new problem arises if buildings that have been designated as cultural heritage are demolished. He gave an example of a case in Gorontalo as something that should not be done.

"The problem is that if he has been designated as a cultural heritage, it will be demolished, as happened in Gorontalo. That is not allowed. There are rules," he said.

Fadli also explained that the construction in the palace area was carried out on vacant land and did not change the main building which had historical value. He called the palace area a living heritage, a living heritage that is still used for government activities.

"Because he is on land that is also empty and indeed for this purpose, part of the living heritage, does not change others," said Fadli.

Regarding the pillar part that is said to be somewhat advanced, Fadli said that it was also not a problem. According to Fadli, the appearance and construction of the supporting structure have been studied.

"Basically, those who support it, including the construction of the original display, have all gone through one study as well," he said.

Fadli said the new building was needed because the Istana area lacked space for large activities. So far, a number of meetings have often used tents because the available space is limited.

"We are here short of a place to hold large meetings. That's why we always use tents," said Fadli.

He said the building would likely serve as a multipurpose building. However, the arrangement for the use of the building will be at the State Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat.

"Yes, maybe a building of some kind of multipurpose. Later the Setneg and Setkab will arrange it," said Fadli.

Fadli emphasized that the need for space at the Palace was quite urgent because the existing rooms were narrow and small. Therefore, a new place is needed that can be used for government activities.

"For rooms, just look at it, it's very narrow, small. We hope there will be new places that can be used," he said.