Jakarta Provincial Government agrees to grant the building of ex South Jakarta Mayor office on Jalan Trunojoyo to ASEAN Secretariat. It is still in paperwork process which targeted to finish next week.

Mr. Ahok (Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ T Purnama) very supports it and wants the grant process to finish as soon as possible. If could, next week

“Mr. Ahok (Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ T Purnama) very supports it and wants the grant process to finish as soon as possible. If could, next week,” told Deputy for International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division for Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Rizal Affandi Lukman, at City Hall, Friday (7/18).

According to Lukman, it is categorized as grant because the ex South Jakarta Mayor office building will be used for public necessities considering the nature of ASEAN Secretariat office expansion is very urgent. In addition, it will also make Jakarta as the capital city for ASEAN countries.

“ASEAN Secretariat office expansion is very urgent. Right now, more than 1,200 ASEAN meetings are held in Jakarta. That is extra ordinary. It also affects to the city’s economy, because now many friendly-country representatives assign their ambassadors in Jakarta’s ASEAN Secretariat. This ASEAN’s cooperation is quite progressive,” he stated.

After the asset handover is conducted, Lukman continued, his party will do assessment on whether the ex South Jakarta Mayor office building to be completely dismantled or simply renovated.

“Later there will be an assessment team to see whether the building could be directly used or need a little renovation or better build new one with maximum height,” he uttered.

Lukman explained that the budget for it will be taken from the central government. However, he does not know yet the exact amount of budget needed.

“There are no numbers yet, still being calculated. This is because everything needs to be prepared, like offices and meeting rooms. It will not only work as secretariat since there will be also humanitarian center in accordance to ASEAN cooperation. That needs space,” he said.