Gov’t Completes Pasa Ateh Bukittinggi Reconstruction

Pasa Ateh Bukittinggi, West Sumatra Province.

The Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has completed the reconstruction of Pasa Ateh Bukittinggi, West Sumatra Province.

This reconstruction is carried out by enhancing the function of the market as a means of popular trade so that it becomes a safe, comfortable, clean, orderly, and more aesthetically pleasing building.

“The market is the spearhead of trade activities and is at the same time the driving force of the people’s economy. Pasa Ateh has an important role in the economy of the people of Bukittinggi City. Furthermore, Pasa Ateh also has historical value because Bukittinggi was once the Provisional Capital of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Deputy Minister of PUPR John Wempi Wetipo during the inauguration of Pasa Ateh Bukittinggi through teleconference, Thursday (18/6).

Previously, the condition of the market’s facilities and infrastructure was less than optimal and it has experienced four fires, which last consumed hundreds of stalls in October 2017. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered the Ministry to reconstruct the market at the Plenary Cabinet Session on 18 July 2018, the implementation of which was stipulated in the Presidential Regulation Number 64 of 2018.

The reconstruction of Pasa Ateh Bukittinggi included 4 floors and 1 basement with a total area of ​​39,720 m². The ground floor, first-floor, second-floor, and third-floor consist of 257 stalls, 278 stalls, 276 stalls, 24 stalls as well as a food court area respectively. The market is also equipped with a number of facilities such as parking areas, public toilets, toilets for the disabled, prayer rooms, nursing rooms, elevators, and escalators.

The new Pasa Ateh was designed with a green building concept, allowing better air circulation. This makes air conditioner unnecessary which means energy efficiency.

The green building concept is also applied in the implementation of its construction, which refers to Ministerial Regulation Number 02/PRT/M/2015 on Green Building. During the construction period, the contractor implements environmentally friendly behavior including the selection of environmentally friendly materials, good management of construction waste, and water and energy conservation.

The reconstruction began on 21 August 2018 and was completed on 31 December 2019 with a budget of Rp.292 billion. This reconstruction was carried out by PT Brantas Abipraya and PT Penta Rekayasa and the construction management was carried out by PT Deta Decon with a multi-year contract of 2018-2019.

The Deputy Minister stated that the market should implement the health protocols in its operation to avoid further spread of COVID-19. “Traders and buyers are required to wear masks and gloves, wash their hands frequently, and maintain physical distance during their activities in the market. The health protocols need to be implemented in an obedient and disciplined manner so that the market does not become a new epicenter for the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

On the occasion, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno advised traders and the public to maintain the cleanliness of the market. “Pasa Ateh owns a high tourist value, besides the Clock Tower, it becomes an icon of the City of Bukittinggi.  I hope that cleanliness can be maintained so that tourists can feel at home,” he said.

Bukittinggi Mayor Ramlan Nurmatias expressed his gratitude to Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono for the Ministry’s assistance in the construction of facilities in Bukittinggi. “On behalf of the Government of the City of Bukittinggi along with the whole community, we would like to thank the Minister for Pasa Ateh reconstruction. After the inauguration, we will immediately process the contract with the tenants and do the plotting,” Ramlan said.

Ramlan stated that the reoperation of the market will hugely impact the Bukittinggi economy as the building also a magnet for tourists.

For the record, Pasa Ateh is not only a trade center but also a shopping destination which is strategically located in the heart of the city and directly opposite to the Jam Gadang area. (BKP Kementerian PUPR/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani