TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan ensured that Taman Ismail Marzuki or TIM arts and culture center in Cikini will not be a commercial area after its revitalization project completes. He said the city administration will not seek benefits in the management.

“Because this is a state facility for artists to grow, [TIM] will not be set as a commercial area,” said Anies in the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, Feb. 27.

Anies underlined that the revitalization was not a way of the city administration to gain benefits, adding that collecting money from land and building taxes was easier than depending on the rental fee of the park facilities.

During the hearing with the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission X today, Feb. 27, the governor asserted that he separated cultural affairs and commercialization as he divided Culture Agency and Tourism Agency. “Because culture is not oriented to commercials,” he added.

According to Anies, PT Jakarta Propertindo or Jakpro as the regional-owned developer of the TIM revitalization project concerned about public service. After the project completes, Jakpro will be responsible for the management of the park’s infrastructures and facilities, while the cultural affairs will be under the city’s Culture Agency and the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ).

Anies Baswedan also denied the saying that the construction of Wisma Seni or guesthouse was part of the commercialization. “If Jakarta administration wants to increase revenue, it will not seek benefits from constructing a hotel, but the tax,” he remarked.

ADAM PRIREZA