TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - North Jakarta Mayor Rustam Efendi said that he appreciated a cultural movement promoting cleanliness and smile initiated by the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry and the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry.

According to Rustam, the movement is the beginning of the mental revolution to realize Indonesia as a clean and comfortable country.

“It’s time to start a life that promotes cleanliness,” Rustam spoke during the launching of the Clean and Smile Culture Movement in Marunda, Jakarta, on Saturday, November 28, 2015.

Rustam revealed that he often received complaints from other countries about garbage in Jakarta’s waters.

“We were embarrassed when Turkish marines complained about the garbage during their visit,” he said.

Rustam revealed that garbage from North Jakarta had reached Untung Jawa Island, despite the fact that it may take 45 minutes to reach the island on a speed boat.

“It shows the severity of the issue,” Rustam added.

Therefore, public is expected to actively participate in minimizing garbage by implementing the concept of reduce, reuse and recycle. Rustam will also promote a sustainable clean culture by encouraging public not to litter.

“We’re calling on all community units (RW) to have garbage banks in order to minimize the amount of garbage,” Rustam said.

ABDUL AZIS