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Jokowi calls for rescue of state assets in halted Hambalang project
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Accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi (center) and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono (left), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visits the site of a sports facility project in Hambalang, West Java, on Friday. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has urged the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry to conduct a thorough check on the condition of buildings at the halted Hambalang sports facility site to find a way to rescue the state assets.
Accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Jokowi visited the project, which was designed to become the National Sports Education and Training Center, in Hambalang, West Java, on Friday.
"Because the project has used trillions [of rupiah] in state funds, we need to decide whether we will continue the project or not," Jokowi said at a press conference.
Jokowi also ordered the ministry to decide on the future function of the facility if the decision was made to continue the project. "Is it for a sports school like the initial plan or it will become athletes’ housing, for example, or it will be a national training center or apartments," he said.
The Hambalang project, which began development in 2010, was halted in 2013 after being hit by a corruption scandal. Former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng and former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum are among those who have been found guilty in the case.
The project’s buildings, on 33 hectares of land, do not meet the standards for buildings in hilly areas, Jokowi said after inspecting the site.
The government will soon decide how to manage the furniture, air conditioning units and sports equipment that have been placed in the neglected buildings, he said, adding that currently the Attorney General’s Office was studying the case.
"The most important thing is to rescue the state assets," Jokowi said. (bbn)
