T

he Jakarta administration is planning to audit abandoned buildings in the capital because of potential security and safety issues.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said at City Hall on Monday that he had asked the city’s spatial planning agency to audit abandoned buildings, including Saidah Tower located on Jl. MT Haryono in South Jakarta and a half-completed building in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

“We have already initiated plans to tear down Saidah Tower. However, as it is in dispute right now, we cannot start anything,” he said.

Djarot said besides being in dispute, the building was also allegedly faulty as it was reportedly leaning to one side.

He said, however, when agency officers examined the tower the 28-story building’s construction seemed satisfactory. “As it [Saidah Tower] is not used anymore, it has become notorious for being a haunted building,” he said.

Saidah Tower, which closed down in 2007, has become part of Jakartan urban legend through several ghost stories involving the building.

Since its closure, many stories have circulated among coffee shop conversations and social media.

One famous story alleges the sighting of a female ghost with a red dress. Many locals have often reported to security guards that they have seen the ghost near the wall of the parking lot.

Also, lights reportedly have often been seen coming from the first floor, as well as people appearing hither and thither in the unused building’s rooms.

On why the tower was closed, public speculation has pointed to its leaning structure but others say a dispute among owners is the reason.

Djarot said he would consider restarting operations at Saidah Tower if it was still safe. “It is a shame the building has become abandoned,” he said.

The deputy governor said the other building that would be audited was a half-completed building in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

“The building was intended to be an apartment but it became abandoned when its [construction] could not be completed,” he said.

Concern from the public over abandoned buildings led to the demolition of a building owned by Panin Bank in Bintaro, South Tangerang, taking place over the weekend. Construction of the building began in 1995 but was halted as a result of the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

Previously, the building had caused fear among residents and workers as its structure began to lean to one side and was badly deteriorating.

Four-stories of the building’s lower section collapsed in June, shrouding the area in dust, although no one was injured in the incident.

Jakarta Spatial Planning Agency head Benny Agus Chandra said his agency was now auditing several abandoned buildings.

“The owners will be tasked to demolish the buildings if they are faulty,” he said, adding that the job of demolishing buildings was not the agency’s.

Benny said he had also summoned several building owners, including the owner of the Menara Saidah to discuss the fate of these structures.

An urban analyst from Trisakti University, Nirwono Yoga, said an abandoned building would incur financial losses to its owner.

“Additionally, [abandoned buildings] ruin views of the city,” he said.

He further argued that the major ramifications of an abandoned building was that it could become a place for illegal activity or squatters. “Hence, it is important for the city administration to take stern action toward building owners who do not take care of their property,” he said.

Nirwono said according to Law No. 28/2002 and Bylaw No. 7/2010 on buildings, the agency had the right to audit the buildings.

“When a building is considered a danger to residents, its construction is prone to collapse or if it is being used for unsocial activity, the administration can seal off [the premises] and force the owners to take action,” he said.

He added that these actions could involve renovations or demolition.