# Gorontalo cultural heritage site controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gorontalo-cultural-heritage-site-controversy > Updated: 2026-10-19T12:05:42.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The controversy began when Gorontalo Mayor Adhan Dambea asserted the local government’s authority to revoke the cultural heritage status of the former Post and Telegraph House. Following a Rp700 billion lawsuit from the landowner, a review of the 2020 designation decree reportedly uncovered irregularities, including the fact that the land has been privately owned since 2004. Concurrently, the Gorontalo Regional Police (Polda Gorontalo) launched an investigation into allegations of vandalism at the site. After gathering witness statements and electronic evidence, police conducted a court-ordered search of the Mayor’s office on October 19, 2026. During this operation, investigators seized two boxes of documents from the Regional Secretariat’s Legal and General Affairs sections. Mayor Dambea has stated he will not back down from the legal process, suggesting that the scrutiny regarding the heritage site and recent protests may be attempts to exert political pressure. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Gorontalo Police search Mayor's office over cultural heritage damage Gorontalo Police searched the Mayor's office to collect evidence regarding the alleged destruction of a cultural heritage building. Mayor Adhan Dambea maintains he will follow the legal process. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gorontalo-police-search-mayors-office-over-cultural-heritage-damage ### 2026-10-17: Gorontalo officials address former Post and Telegraph House controversy Gorontalo officials are reviewing the cultural heritage status of the former Post and Telegraph House following legal disputes, while police investigate alleged vandalism at the site. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gorontalo-officials-address-former-post-and-telegraph-house-controversy --- Cite as: Gorontalo cultural heritage site controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gorontalo-cultural-heritage-site-controversy