Jakarta. The former British Embassy building near the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout in central Jakarta will be redeveloped as the new headquarters of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and several other Islamic institutions.

The United Kingdom’s embassy relocated to Jakarta’s Kuningan district in South Jakarta in 2013, leaving the prime site vacant.

Speaking on Saturday, President Prabowo Subianto said he had allocated land for MUI and Islamic foundations at the strategic location.

“I have provided about 4,000 square meters of land in front of the HI Roundabout for the MUI building and Islamic organizations,” Prabowo told MUI leaders during a meeting at Istiqlal Mosque.

Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid later confirmed that the site referenced by the president was the former British Embassy compound.

“The building to be used for the interests of the Muslim community was previously the British Embassy,” Nusron said, adding that the choice of such a high-value, central location reflected “the president’s commitment to the dignity and struggle of Muslims as the majority force in Indonesia.”

In addition to MUI, the future complex will also house the National Zakat Agency, the Indonesian Waqf Board, the Hajj Fund Management Agency, and other Islamic organizations.

“This way, they will no longer be burdened by monthly rental costs and can focus on empowering the community,” Nusron said.

He did not disclose the government budget allocated for the redevelopment, noting that the funding falls under the authority of other related ministries.

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