TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Gowa arson attack caused billions in losses
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Burned out -- Offices in the Gowa Legislative Council building were gutted in an arson attack on Sept. 26. (JP/Andi Hajramurni)
T
he recent arson attack on the Gowa Legislative Council building caused damage estimated at around Rp 5.8 billion (US$447,479.28), a lawmaker has said.
“We have not yet drawn up a plan to renovate the building. The exact cost of its renovation also cannot yet be predicted because the Gowa Legislative Council members have not yet discussed it,” the council’s speaker Anzar Zaenal Bate explained on Wednesday.
“We are still focusing our attention on arranging rooms we will use [for our activities].”
Anzar explained that the two-story main building in the center of the council complex was burned down. A plenary meeting hall, the first facility set light by attackers, on the first floor of the building, was completely gutted. On the second floor, four rooms comprising three council leaders’ offices and a finance division office were also set ablaze.
Anzar said all Gowa Legislative Council members and staff members would still work in the council complex because two buildings there could still be used. “We will still carry out our activities in this [council] compound, but we will hold our plenary meetings in the Gowa regent’s office. We are allowed to use one room in the office.”
The arson stemmed from a conflict between Gowa Regent Adnan Purichta Ichsan Yasin Limpo and Gowa royal family members, who demanded the revocation of Bylaw No.5/2016, which mandates the establishment of the Gowa customs and traditions institute (LAD).
Under the bylaw, Limpo was inaugurated as the LAD head, who undertakes the functions of the sombaya (king) of Gowa. His inauguration drew criticism as Gowa kings have always inherited the throne through bloodlines. (ebf)
