SUARA NEGERI | JAKARTA — Head of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Marwan Dasopang, responded to President Prabowo Subianto's plan to build a 40-story building for Islamic institutions, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), in the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout area in Central Jakarta.
Marwan stated that the plan to build the building, which will stand on the land of the former British Embassy, is believed to have undergone thorough study, given that the area has been designated a provincial cultural heritage site.
"If it can be built there, it means its historical value has been fully recognized. The government is not careless; it would not suddenly build without resolving the various issues related to the land," he said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
He emphasized that the government must have resolved all administrative and historical aspects before making a decision to build in an area with such heritage value.
"The government would not be that careless. They would have to first determine the site and the status of the land," he said.
According to Marwan, the most important aspect of the plan is President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to establishing a more integrated and professional center for managing the Muslim community.
"The most important thing is that the President's intention gives us hope to have a place that can properly manage the community," he said.
Marwan believes that if managed optimally, the financial potential of the Muslim community is enormous, whether through zakat, hajj funds, or waqf.
"If managed well, the wealth and financial capacity of the Muslim community are actually quite impressive. This is part of a big idea that can have an impact on solving various problems," he said.
He also touched on the role of zakat in improving the welfare of those who mustahik (receiver). He believes that with proper management, mustahik will not only be helped but can also transform into economically independent communities.
"Moreover, within zakat, there are mustahik. If the mustahik can be helped and become wealthy, the presence of this building will be extraordinary," he concluded. (Jeane Patikawa)
