First Stage Construction Of Pagaruyuang Palace Replica Costs Rp11.9 Billion

Batusangkar, W Sumatra ( Berita ) :  The Tanah Datar regency administration, West Sumatra, will build a replica of the  Pagaruyuang Istano Basa (Pagaruyung Palace) which was razed to the gound by a fire on February 27, 2007, at a cost of more than Rp 11.9 billion in contribution from the local population.

Head of Information and Communication Office and the Electronic Data Center of Tanah Datar regency Edi Susanto said here on Monday that the reconstruction of the Palace will be carried out by PT Grafos, a local business company, with funds from the local people.

Five to ten percent of the first-stage construction work had been completed in 360 days, and the replica is scheduled for completion in 2009,” he said.

He said that the first-stage construction covered the main building of the Pagaruyuang palace replica, and the next stages of the construction work will depend on the availability of the funding.

He said that the Pagaruyuang Palace was gutted to the ground on Tuesday, February 27 last year after a lightning struck it, and the flames also consumed the Rangkiang Patah Sembilan complex right across the street facing the Palace where visitors used to buy local souvenirs and food.

History had it that the Minangkabau traditional building was rebuilt in 1976 as a replica of the Istano Rajo Alam Minangkabau set fire by the Dutch back in 1804.

The building has 11 pitched roofs (gonjongs), 72 pillars and 3 floors. It is easy for visitors to reach the Pagaruyung Palace as it is located in Nagari Pagaruyuang, Tanjung Emas sub-district, center of the Tanah Datar regency administration, some five kilometers from Batusangkar city, he said. (ant )