Palembang Government Plans to Convert Arts Building into Restaurant, Sparks Artists" Protests
Berita Warga 
Palembang, August 5 - The Palembang City Government"s (Pemkot Palembang) plan to convert the Palembang Arts Building into a restaurant has sparked protests from local artists and cultural figures. This initiative is part of efforts to develop river tourism in the Benteng Kuto Besak area, including reviving the Kuto Besak Theatre Restaurant (KBTR).
Acting Mayor of Palembang, Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta, along with the Head of the Palembang City Culture Office, Affan Prapanca, proposed the utilization of the Palembang Arts Building as a culinary business center. However, this plan has faced strong criticism from those concerned with the preservation of art and culture in the city.
On Monday (August 5), Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta held a meeting with the Alliance of Community Concerned with Cultural Heritage (AMPCB), the Palembang Arts Council (DKP), the South Sumatra Arts Council (Sumsel), artists, and cultural figures in the meeting room of Palembang City Hall. The meeting discussed objections and input from the arts and cultural community regarding the planned functional change of the Arts Building.
AMPCB Chairman, Vebri Al Lintani, emphasized the need for clear regulations (Perwako) for the management of the building and the necessity of involving AMPCB and DKP in all related activities. "The bargaining position of the Palembang Arts Council as the manager must be regulated through clear regulations. Every activity must involve AMPCB and DKP; they should not be excluded," Vebri stressed.
Vebri also criticized the policies of the Head of the Palembang City Culture Office, which he claimed often acted independently without consultation, as seen in the recent Museum Festival. "We feel unappreciated as part of the community that should be involved in every activity related to art and culture in this city," he said.
In response to the criticism, Acting Mayor Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta expressed hope that the Palembang Arts Building could be more active with regular art and cultural programs. He also emphasized that there are no plans to change the building"s aesthetics but to reconstruct the history and culture of Palembang. "Our goal is to reconstruct the past history and culture so that Malay art and culture in Palembang are not lost. We must revive that history and culture together with relevant stakeholders," Ucok stated.
Ucok emphasized the importance of preserving the Malay cultural heritage of Palembang amid the passage of time. "History must not be lost, even though times continue to evolve," he concluded. The hope is that Malay art and culture in Palembang, especially its history, will not be lost as times progress.
This controversy highlights the importance of involving various stakeholders in decision-making processes that impact the preservation of local arts and culture. The Palembang City Government is expected to find solutions that satisfy all parties while preserving the city"s cultural heritage.
Acting Mayor of Palembang, Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta, along with the Head of the Palembang City Culture Office, Affan Prapanca, proposed the utilization of the Palembang Arts Building as a culinary business center. However, this plan has faced strong criticism from those concerned with the preservation of art and culture in the city.
On Monday (August 5), Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta held a meeting with the Alliance of Community Concerned with Cultural Heritage (AMPCB), the Palembang Arts Council (DKP), the South Sumatra Arts Council (Sumsel), artists, and cultural figures in the meeting room of Palembang City Hall. The meeting discussed objections and input from the arts and cultural community regarding the planned functional change of the Arts Building.
AMPCB Chairman, Vebri Al Lintani, emphasized the need for clear regulations (Perwako) for the management of the building and the necessity of involving AMPCB and DKP in all related activities. "The bargaining position of the Palembang Arts Council as the manager must be regulated through clear regulations. Every activity must involve AMPCB and DKP; they should not be excluded," Vebri stressed.
Vebri also criticized the policies of the Head of the Palembang City Culture Office, which he claimed often acted independently without consultation, as seen in the recent Museum Festival. "We feel unappreciated as part of the community that should be involved in every activity related to art and culture in this city," he said.
In response to the criticism, Acting Mayor Ucok Abdulrauf Damenta expressed hope that the Palembang Arts Building could be more active with regular art and cultural programs. He also emphasized that there are no plans to change the building"s aesthetics but to reconstruct the history and culture of Palembang. "Our goal is to reconstruct the past history and culture so that Malay art and culture in Palembang are not lost. We must revive that history and culture together with relevant stakeholders," Ucok stated.
Ucok emphasized the importance of preserving the Malay cultural heritage of Palembang amid the passage of time. "History must not be lost, even though times continue to evolve," he concluded. The hope is that Malay art and culture in Palembang, especially its history, will not be lost as times progress.
This controversy highlights the importance of involving various stakeholders in decision-making processes that impact the preservation of local arts and culture. The Palembang City Government is expected to find solutions that satisfy all parties while preserving the city"s cultural heritage.
