Expert:Jakarta Reclamation Decision Should Not be Taken Partially

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An oceanography expert from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Alan Frendy Koropitan, hailed the decision made by the central government in halting the G island reclamation project that belongs to Agung Podomoro Group at the Jakarta bay.

Rizal Ramli, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, said that the G island reclamation project was considered as a major violation that threatens natural environment, strategic vital projects, ports, and sea traffic.

However, the central government still allowed the continuation of island C and island D projects belongs to PT Kapuk Niaga Indah, and the island N project belongs to Pelindo II. This three projects also did some violations, but were viewed as a `standard` problems related to some faulty building proposals.

Alan lamented the partially-taken decision. As an academician, he viewed this matter should always be related to the enviromental support capacity.

"The reclamation project should refer back to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS) in which until now has not been done at all by the central government," said Alan, who graduated from the Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.

Alan requested for the environmental assessment to become open for public so they could also know the impact and consequences [of the projects].

Not only the reclamation projects, he also mentioned the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD), or the giant dike construction, which will be constructed in the Northern Jakarta.

Alan also explained the reclamation projects will have a definite impact to three things, which are: the deceleration of sea flow acceleration, rising sedimentation, and worsening heavy metal scraps and organic waste pollutions. "So the NCICD will only just worsen it," he said.

He added that the reclamation project review should strongly refer to the President Regulation (Perpres) No.122 Year of 2012 about the Reclamation on Coastal and Small Islands Region. But if the projects already been set in motion, then Alan asked the government to admit that the reclamation projects at the Northern Jakarta were entirely a mistake.

Alan did not said that the whole project have to be dismantled back into its original state after the project cancellation announcement by Minister Rizal Ramli, he said that he was only saying that there should be another in-sight into the matter.

He suggested that there should be a computer-generated simulation of the sea flow pattern to help in the making a future plan scenario after the project cancellation. "I could not promise anything [now], the basis should be on science," he concluded.

LARISSA HUDA