Fadli Zon Defends New Building at Jakarta Palace

Fadli Zon Justifies New Construction at Presidential Palace

Fadli Zon Defends New Building at Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is building a new facility at the Jakarta Palace complex, a project defended by Culture Minister Fadli Zon. The minister argued that the palace frequently lacks space for large gatherings, prompting the need for a permanent structure.

Expansion Aimed at Addressing Space Constraints

Fadli Zon explained that temporary measures, such as tents, are often used for events like cabinet meetings within the palace grounds. “The current layout is too cramped, making it difficult to host significant events,” he remarked during a visit to the site on July 7, 2026.

“The existing space is insufficient, especially for large-scale meetings. We’ve had to rely on tents for years,” Fadli said.

Legal Compliance and Future Use

The minister emphasized that the new building would serve multiple purposes and that its final designation would be decided by the State Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat. He also highlighted that the project adheres to Law No. 11/2010 on Cultural Heritage, as it is constructed on vacant land without altering the palace’s historical architecture.

Green Party Raises Concerns

The Indonesian Green Party has challenged the project, questioning its alignment with cultural heritage regulations. John Muhammad, an architect from the party’s national presidium, cited satellite imagery to argue that the area was once a wooded plot. “The site has transformed into a construction zone since mid-2025,” he stated on July 2, 2026.

“Developments within the palace grounds should involve public transparency and expert input. Failing to meet these requirements could result in legal penalties,” Muhammad added.

John claimed the project did not fulfill necessary legal procedures, including feasibility studies and recommendations from cultural heritage specialists. He noted that the House of Representatives, regional legislative councils, and the People’s Consultative Assembly should have been involved in the decision-making process.

Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance

Under the Cultural Heritage Law, violations could lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence and a fine of up to Rp5 billion. John stressed that the development on the eastern side of Merdeka Palace, a cultural heritage site, must undergo rigorous oversight.

Tempo.co reported on the construction in its July 7, 2026 edition. The article was authored by Ervana Trikarinaputri. For more updates, follow Tempo on Google News.