City Council Rejects Mall Development Plan in TRS

Following the development plan of shopping center in Taman Ria Senayan (TRS) area in Central Jakarta, Jakarta City Council (DPRD) says it hopes the central government, in this case the State Secretariat, to review agreements with related private parties, saying it is inappropriate for the parliament building, which is a monumental building, to stand next to a shopping center or mall.

In addition, the lack of green space and water catchment areas in Jakarta should also be a consideration for not continuing the shopping center development plan. "We hope the State Secretariat to review the agreements with private parties, in regard to the construction of shopping mall in the area of Taman Ria Senayan," said Jakarta City Council Commission D member Muhammad Sanusi, Wednesday (7/21).

Based on study by various parties, he continued, the existence of a shopping center at the location was potential to bring adverse effects, starting from traffic jam to flooding. "I personally and on behalf of city legislators hope the development plan to be canceled," he stated.

The rejection also came from other council member Sayogo Hendrosoebroto, who is also the city council deputy speaker. Although this issue is outside his domain, Sayogo expects the plan to be canceled. "Do not ignore objections just for the mere pursuit of profit," he said referring to many objections amidst the plan.

Previously, Jakarta Capital City Governor Fauzi Bowo denies that the city government supports the plan; arguing the area is more appropriate to become an urban forest in the form of green open space. And it will be even better if the amusement park, which has an artificial lake on Jl Gatot Subroto, is integrated with the House of Representatives building located right next to the area.

He even claimed to have not known the plan of the shopping center development in the TRS since the area is located in the Bung Karno complex managed by the State Secretariat. "In the past, the permission of commercial development in the area did exist. But for now, such a matter is under the management of the State Secretariat, not the city government,” he said.