Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – Notable artist Butet Kartaredjasa criticized the Jakarta government's decision to raise the rent of art and performance halls in the capital as stipulated in the Jakarta Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2024 concerning Regional Taxes and Levies.

"Ideally, we (artists) should only pay for operating costs, such as electricity, cleaning services, and security services," Butet told Tempo over the phone on Monday, January 15.

Butet argued that art buildings are an investment in human resources, so they are intended for the development of the arts. He rejected the idea that art buildings are for purely commercial purposes.

"So, it would be better if all the financing is covered by the APBD (Regional Budget), as Governor Ali Sadikin previously did for art buildings in Jakarta," he argued.

Butet claimed that the hike in building rental fees under the Jakarta Culture Agency was still within reasonable limits. However, he questioned the reasons for the price increase.

He also criticized the management of Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM). One of the buildings in the art and culture center complex, Graha Bhakti Budaya, is being commercialized by city-owned developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro).

"As for the management of TIM, the management under the Jakarta Culture Agency is relatively much more humane than the management under Jakpro. Under Jakpro, the prices are very high [because it is] treated for commercial events," Butet explained.

He believed that there should not be two management institutions for TIM. "Jakpro should leave TIM because it is an arts center, not a commercial center. Restore Taman Ismail Marzuki as an arts center," Butet Kartaredjasa stressed.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1821753/butet-kartaredjasa-slams-jakarta-govt-for-raising-rent-of-art-hall