Losses Due To Burning Of Regent-DPRD Pohuwato Official Houses Estimated To Reach Rp12 Billion

The condition of the Regent's office that caught fire in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Friday (22/9/2023). (ANTARA/Zulkifli Polimengo)

GORONTALO - Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Pohuwato Regency Iskandar Dukata revealed that the losses due to the burning and destruction incidents of the regent-DPRD office in Pohuwato Gorontalo reached more than Rp12 billion.

The Pohuwato Regent's Office, which was built with a budget of IDR 12 billion and became the center of government in the region, was burned down by demonstrators during a demonstration on Thursday, September 21.

"This building was built with a budget of Rp12 billion in 2004. That's just the regent's office, not to mention the facilities in it. So now we can't calculate the total loss," said the Regional Secretary, in Pohuwato, Friday.

He said that currently his party could only estimate how much losses were suffered based on data and calculations of inflation ratios that had occurred since 20 years ago.

"However, for details and certainty, we cannot convey that yet, because at this time we together with related parties are still collecting data and calculating," said Iskandar.

He explained that the demonstration led to anarchism which was marked by the destruction and burning of public facilities, causing the regent's office, DPRD office, and the regent's official residence to temporarily not function.

"Indeed, this building was built with people's money, and was intended to serve the people. But it is very regrettable, yesterday there was a demonstration that led to anarchism," said Iskandar Dukata.

He conveyed that the issue had been discussed at the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) meeting, both in Pohuwato Regency and Gorontalo Province.

"Of course there must be steps taken to keep incidents like this from happening again," he said.