February 10, 2026 | 07:42 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to build a 40-story tower for Islamic institutions, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), in the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area of Central Jakarta.
The new building will be constructed from scratch on land that previously housed the British Embassy.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the former embassy building will not be used in the project.
“Yes, it will be built from scratch,” Prasetyo said at Gambir Station on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. He added that only the land will be utilized and did not clarify whether the old embassy building, a designated cultural heritage site, will be demolished.
Prasetyo noted that construction has not yet begun, as the building is still in the design phase. The budget allocation for the project has also not been finalized, with funds potentially coming from the Ministry of Religious Affairs or other financial sources.
“It’s just a matter of allocation, which could involve the Ministry of Religion or other sources,” he explained.
MUI’s Chair of the Disaster Mitigation Sector, Nusron Wahid, stated that the project will house not only MUI but also the National Amil Zakat Agency, the Indonesian Wakaf Agency, the Hajj Financial Management Agency, and other Islamic institutions.
He said the consolidation aims to reduce overhead costs for the organizations and allow them to focus on community empowerment.
“The goal is for these institutions to be free from monthly burdens and focus on serving the people,” Nusron said.
The planned 40-story building has sparked criticism from some observers. Herdiansyah Hamzah, a constitutional law lecturer at Mulawarman University, argued that uniting various Islamic organizations in one tower could be seen as a political move to co-opt these institutions.
“There is no urgent need for such a tall building, other than serving the interests and legitimacy of the ruling group. These organizations may become a stamp on the political decisions of those in power,” Herdiansyah said on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
He further argued that this effort is a continuation of policies that grant concessions to religious organizations, which he claims are driven by political considerations rather than national and public interest.
Hendrik Yaputra and Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Indonesian Navy to Gain Patrol Ships Through Japanese Grant
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Govt Assures No Cabinet Reshuffle Ahead Ramadan
2 jam lalu
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has repeatedly denied the issue of Prabowo's cabinet reshuffle.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Readies 8,000 Peacekeepers, Moody's Cuts Banks' Outlook
4 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Prabowo Meets 22 Business Leaders in Hambalang, Urges Job Creation
10 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with 22 businesspeople at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Monday evening, February
Survey Shows High Support for Prabowo, DPR Least Trusted
10 jam lalu
The Indonesian Political Indicators survey institute released the results of its latest survey on satisfaction with President Prabowo's performance.
Prabowo's MUI Building Plan Seen as Political Co-optation
12 jam lalu
A lecturer in Constitutional Law criticizes the Indonesian government's plan to build 40-story office building for the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)
Prabowo Invited to Trump's Board of Peace First Meeting
1 hari lalu
Indonesia officially joined the Board of Peace on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Indonesia Readies 8,000 Peacekeepers After Joining Trump's Board of Peace
1 hari lalu
The peacekeeping forces' preparation aligns with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's decision to join the Trump-backed Board of Peace.
Prabowo Absent for National Press Day
1 hari lalu
According to Minister Cak Imin, Prabowo really wanted to attend the peak of the commemoration of National Press Day in Serang, Banten.
Prabowo Summons TNI, Police Chiefs to Presidential Palace
1 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo summoned the ranks of the National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police to the Palace in Jakarta this morning.
Key Points from Prabowo's Speech at NU Centennial Gathering
1 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) centennial gathering at Gajayana Stadium, Malang City.
