Jakarta, IO – Investment Minister/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Bahlil Lahadalia said one of the conditions for granting a business permit is to have a building use permit (HGB) certificate. However, the HGB belonging to PT Indobuildco, a company owned by Pontjo Sutowo, expired in March-April, per Katadata, Friday (20/10).
Bahlil said this was the reason he revoked the hotel’s permit. He also emphasized that his ministry/agency has the authority to issue and cancel business permits.
“Once the certificate expires and is not renewed, the permit no longer meets the requirements for issuance,” said Bahlil.
PT Indobuildco previously sued the government regarding the its order to vacate Hotel Sultan’s premises. However, the company considers that the land seized by the government is of vacant state land status.
Indobuildco’s lawsuit was officially registered at the Central Jakarta District Court on October 9. The lawsuit was addressed to four parties, namely the State Secretary, Gelora Bung Karno Management Office, Head of the National Land Agency, and the Central Jakarta Land Administration Office.
Read: Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Sign 4 Cooperation Agreements
Indobuildco’s attorney, Yosef Benedictus, said the government’s claim over the land was baseless. He noted that the steps taken by the government regarding the land where the Sultan Hotel sits seemed to confirm that the land’s status is vacant state land.
According to Yosef, the four defendants ignored the existence of PT Indobuildco as the holder of HGB. “So they were wrong because HGB No. 26 and 27 are on vacant state land,” said Yosef. (un)