Munief said that after the incident on Saturday, January 31, he contacted Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and requested that the Siak Palace complex be promptly restored and designated as a National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN).
“We immediately informed the Tourism Minister about the incident at the Dutch Barracks within the Siak Palace complex. Thankfully, her response was quick and positive, and she directly coordinated with the Ministry of Culture,” Munief said on Monday.
He explained that several facilities and heritage sites within the Siak Palace complex are no longer in proper condition and could pose risks to visitors. Therefore, he urged the government to immediately designate the area as a KSPN to allow comprehensive restoration and safety improvements.
Munief also questioned the cause of the collapse, noting that the affected section of the building had undergone renovation in 2018 with an allocation of Rp5.2 billion, or approximately US$309 thousand, from the state budget (APBN).
The collapse of the second floor of the Dutch Barracks Cultural Heritage Building resulted in injuries to 17 people, including 15 elementary school students from SD IT Baitul Ridho in Lubuk Dalam Sub-district, Siak District, one teacher, and a local tour guide.
The incident occurred suddenly and shocked the group, who were visiting the site to learn about the history of the colonial-era building. The floor, made of old wooden planks, was believed to have deteriorated over time and was unable to support the weight of visitors gathered in one area.
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Translator: Bayu, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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