Residents To Strengthen Padang Old City Maintenance: Mayor

Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - The Mayor of Padang Municipality, West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah asks residents especially building owners to strengthen the maintenance of building assets in Muaro, Old City area.

"It is expected to be done, including the restoration and maintenance on some existing assets," he said in Padang, Wednesday (Oct 4).

For example, the former of Dutch VOC building which was later taken over by PT Persero Trade. Its conditions are poor and unkempt.

Whereas in status, the building in the Old City was included in the cultural heritage in Padang.

In other words the condition is contrary to Law number 11 of 2010 on cultural preservation.

"It means that the building owner deliberately neglect to do maintenance, management and preservation," he pointed out.

For the government itself, Old City of Padang became one of tourist destinations in Padang.

Even in the development of the Integrated Tourism Area of Mount Padang, its development will include the Old City of Muaro in its part.

So that it certainly needs to be done cleaning, structuring and maintenance by the owner to the fullest.

This is quite important considering many buildings around are still not maintained even though there has been a part of the tour such as culinary.

In addition to recreational tours, Old City also provides educational tours for students, especially in the field of history and culture.

Meanwhile, Head of Tourism and Culture of Padang, Medi Iswandi added that his party has written such letter to the existing building owners in Old City.

One of the points in the letter is doing regular maintenance of the building when it needs to do the restoration.

Some of them have responded positively, but it hopes that all owners do the same action.

While the historian from Andalas University of Padang, Prof. Gusti Asnan assess the Old City to witness the history of Padang development.

The existence of the building assets near the beach is also a proof that Padang ever triumphed as a city of trade and Maritime.

It is expected that the government is more assertive in directing its management because of its useful assets in various fields. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika