By TIARMA SIBORO
JAKARTA — Indonesia is preparing for a reconstruction project that will improve the defenses of its capital city.
An Indonesian official said the “urban defense strategy” is necessary to give the country an equal position with neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.
As part of an overall buildup in defense, the Defense Ministry has taken first-stage delivery of 30 Leopard tanks from Germany. Last year, the MoD purchased 103 Leopard tanks, plus 42 Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 11 armored recovery and engineering vehicles. According to a news release from Rheinmetall Defence, the deal is worth €216 million (US $292 million).
Jakarta’s reconstruction project will affect strategic spots near the Presidential Palace, including Gambir and Pejambon areas in the eastern side of the Palace, and the compound of the National Monument — widely known as Monas.
The Jakarta administration is expecting to start reconstruction in 2014.
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