Pekanbaru Mayor Threatens Contract Termination Over Stalled Market Renovation

Mayor Agung Nugroho of Pekanbaru conducted a surprise inspection on 30 July 2026 of the Pasar Bawah market revitalisation project. He found the work still only about 60 % complete, well behind the original 2025 deadline, and said the construction had been stalled for more than three months. The city has already issued two warning letters to the project manager, PT Ali Akbar Sejahtera, and plans to send a third. Nugroho warned, "Kalau tidak selesai juga peringatan ketiga ini, kita putus kontrak. Maka akan diaudit," and said the municipal government would take over the work if the contract is terminated.

He also indicated that the city’s Industry and Trade Office will convene a meeting with the manager, the contractor and market traders to resolve financing and management issues, noting, "Kita lihat laporan masyarakat, ... ini sudah tiga bulan lebih mangkrak pembangunannya." The market is regarded as a key icon of Pekanbaru, and officials aim to finish the project quickly to minimise losses for local merchants.