“We agree with the City Council that the project must be stopped temporarily with all its consequences, until a letter of approval from the steering committee is given,” city secretary Saefullah told reporters after a coordination meeting with the council on Tuesday.

The suspension of the Monas revitalization project on Wednesday was based on a recommendation by the City Council, which argued that halting the project was a “natural thing” because, aside from not having a permit, the project had cut down 200 trees.

The project kicked off on Nov. 12, 2019 without consent from the Medan Merdeka Area Development Steering Committee, helmed by State Secretary Pratikno. The committee is in charge of making decisions over changes to the capital’s landmark.

“The [Jakarta] governor as the steering secretary must coordinate with the central government. Monas is a national icon. It is not owned by the city alone but by the entire nation and there needs to be good coordination,” Jakarta Council speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi said.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, who has been silent about the case, was supported by several parties including the Governor’s Team for Accelerated Development (TGUPP), regional working units (SKPD), the legal bureau and the city secretary.

The city secretary acknowledged the administration had sent a letter to the committee notifying it about the revitalization project.

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