Ahok donates Rp 200 million for Monas renovation

JAKARTA. Former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is serving a prison sentence for blasphemy, has pledged to cover half of the cost of the renovation of the National Monument’s (Monas) dancing fountain.

“He contributed around Rp 200 million [US$15,019]. The total [renovation budget] is around Rp 400 million,” Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Ahok proposed repairs to the fountain in 2016 to lure people to Monas, but his plan was hampered by budget constraints. Ahok then offered to repair the fountain using his operational funds.

Several public figures including Djarot, Monas area management unit head Sabdo Kurnianto and renowned orchestra conductor Addie MS have contributed funds for the renovation.

The Monas dancing fountain will be inaugurated by Djarot on Aug. 12, after a 10-year hiatus.

The fountain will dance to Indonesian songs arranged by Addie MS.

Djarot personally requested a dangdut song titled “Ke Monas” (Go to Monas), which was arranged by Rhoma Irama.

“We’ll see how it turns out, whether it matches the rhythm,” Djarot said.