It should be like that, there are activities. So, if people come to Kota Tua, they can saw performances. If we’re the one to hold it, that’s common. But if the students did it, they can practice while performing as well. So, (the costs) would be cheap

The students of Jakarta Arts Institution (IKJ) will have a new place to express their artistic skills in Kota Tua, West Jakarta. After Kota Tua revitalization finished, those students can enliven the area with various art and entertainment performances. Such a thing is expected would attract the tourists, both domestic and foreigners, to visit Kota Tua.

“It should be like that, there are activities. So, if people come to Kota Tua, they can saw performances. If we’re the one to hold it, that’s common. But if the students did it, they can practice while performing as well. So, (the costs) would be cheap,” stated Vice Jakarta Governor Basuki T Purnama, Tuesday (8/19).

According to Basuki, the first building in Kota Tua to be revitalized is the Luar Batang Mosque. This location is where Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) first came into Indonesia. "As you know, they (VOC) first come when the Luar Batang Mosque built," he explained.

One of the buildings that will be used for the development by IKJ, Basuki said, is building provision from PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI) and was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over building use plan on Jalan Malaka 7 and 9. The signing was conducted between the Head of PT Pembangunan Kota Tua Jakarta, Lin Che Wei and Chairman of the Jakarta Cultural Arts Foundation, Slamet Raharjo.

At the same occasion, the same signing was also conducted by PT Pembangunan Kota Tua Jakarta, Kota Tua Cultural Preservation Group and PT PPI. In that occasion, revitalization plan for historic buildings threatened to collapse belonging to the PPI had also been agreed.

One of the buildings belongs to the PPI that will be handed over to IKJ will be used as campus development center. As for the other buildings will be used as creative activity center, restaurant, art gallery, hotel, office, and bookstore.

PT PPI Director, Wahyu Suparsoni disclosed that the MoU was signed to revitalize historic buildings owned by PT PPI in Kota Tua. Considering most of them already damaged and neglected. "All this time, those are used illegally by irresponsible people, like parking lot and warehouse," he exclaimed.

He uttered PPI is one of the most state-owned enterprises (BUMN) have assets of historic buildings in the Kota Tua. Of the 206 existing buildings, nearly 50 percent is owned by the PPI. Yet, only 16 certificates of buildings that will be revitalized. The buildings are located in four locations, like in Kalibesar.

One of those buildings, he exemplified, is ex-Van Vlueten and Cox grocery stores founded in 1865. While another building, ex-Tjipta Niaga building that was established in 1912 and then the heritage building of the 19th century is a building that was once used by G Kolff and Co, established in 1860.