Deputy Minister Diana Regarding The Arrangement Of The Pendem Ambarawa Fort Area: Maintain The Original Structure

Fort Pendem Ambarawa or Fort Fort Willem I) in Semarang Regency, Central Java. (Photo: Public Relations of the Ministry of Public Works)

Deputy Minister of Public Works (PU) Diana Kusumastuti reviewed the arrangement of the Pendem Ambarawa Fort Fort (Benteng Fort Willem I) area in Semarang Regency, Central Java, Saturday, November 16.

Deputy Minister Diana asked implementing contractors to always pay attention to quality, aesthetic, and environmental aspects. In addition, acceleration efforts are also needed to be completed according to the target on December 31, 2024.

"The arrangement of the fort building must be carried out while maintaining the original structure. The building must be strengthened with coating layers so that it is not filled with moss and not easily damaged. Around the building area it also needs to be planted with various plants so that the landscape is more beautiful," Diana said in a press statement, Saturday, November 16.

Just so you know, Fort Pendem Ambarawa (Fort Willem I Temple) is the largest bulwark on the island of Java which was built in the 19th century as the main bulwark in the Java Island defense system. This fort presents the struggle of the Indonesian people in the war to defend independence.

Based on the Decree of the Regent of Semarang Number 432/0112/2021, Fort Pendem Ambarawa was designated as a Regency-Racing Cultural Heritage Site and has fulfilled the definition of cultural heritage buildings based on PP 16 of 2021. So that the state is responsible for protecting, developing and utilizing this fort.

The arrangement work for the Pendem Ambarawa Fort area has been carried out since December 2023 by PT Waskita Karya as the implementing contractor at a cost of Rp. 141.2 billion.

The current progress of work has reached 84.4 percent.

The scope of work includes building rescue work, building development work, and regional landscape arrangement.

Later this fort area will have an area of 27,286.38 m2 with a parking area of 6,429.93 m2 and an access road area of 5,873.42 m2.

After the arrangement is carried out, it is hoped that this fort area can be used by the manager as a means of education about cultural heritage buildings as well as as a means of recreation for the family.