TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Acting Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has an ambition to build various buildings, including hotel, in the National Monument (Monas) basement. He has instructed the Jakarta Housing and Administrative Building Agency to immediately conduct a detailed study on engineering design for Monas basement.
"I want buildings, hotels if necessary. Why not? We will use the land in Monas as much as we can," said Ahok on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.
In addition to building hotels, Ahok also asked the Defense Ministry not to build defense tunnel under Monas. "No need for defense tunnel," he said, adding that an exhibition venue under Monas should be prioritized.
In order to realize his ambition, Ahok plans to revise the Jakarta Government Regulation No. 167/2012 on the Utilization of Basement and Airspace that states basement can be used up to 10 meters from the surface.
ERWAN HERMAWAN