Ternate`s Orange fort soon to be renovated

Ternate, (ANTARA News) - The Orange Fort, a colonial heritage in Ternate, North Maluku (Moluccas) would soon be renovated with Rp2 billion fund taken from the 2008 state budget as it seemed to be neglected. 

"The Orange Fort will soon be renovated. The Rp2 billion fund from the central government is now in a tendered contract process," the Chief of Ternate`s tourism and cultural office, Arifin Umangsaji, said here Sunday. 

The Orange Fort was built in the 16th century by the Dutch government when they colonized Ternate. In Ternate, similar forts were also built by Portugal and Spain during their ruling times. 

Arifin said the Orange Fort renovation would raise its function for scientific needs and tourist attraction in the area. 

The Orange Fort is located in the center of Ternate city, and has become the center of attention of many people due to the concerning condition of the valuable historical heritage. 

Meanwhile, a Ternate history observer, Djafar Noho S.pd, wished that the Fort`s renovation should be done precisely to keep its originality as a historical relic. 

Contractors should involve experts dealing with historical renovation and consult with Ternate`s royal family who knows the fort very well. 

"I hope the renovation deviation case in Kastela fort several years ago will not recur on the Orange Fort. This has to be the contractor`s attention and everyone relevant to this renovation project," he said.