Rizal Ramli: President Wants Island G Under Government Control  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Last month, the central government finally decided to permanently halt the reclamation of Island G on Jakarta Bay. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli said the step was taken following a disclosure of serious violations committed in the project. One of the violations would have affected the flow of piped gas, electricity supply, sea traffic and the lives of fishermen. "The President does not want the reclamation to be managed by the private sector but by the government," said Rizal.

Other than halting reclamation on Island G, Rizal found violations on three other islands. He said his ministry would continue to evaluate 13 other islands off Jakarta's north coast in the next three months. "We have just completed discussions on four of them," said Rizal, during a special interview with Tempo reporters Martha Warta Silaban, Devy Ernis and Ayu Prima Sandi at his Central Jakarta office last week. 

Rizal said developing Natuna Island could be the solution to increasing production of caught fish and at the same time reinforce Indonesia's position as a maritime nation. During the one-hour interview, Rizal was accompanied by Safri Burhanuddin, his deputy minister on human resources coordination, science and technology who also coordinates maritime affairs and is the current head of a team drafting reclamation regulations.

What's the reason for permanently halting the reclamation of Island G?

This problem has been heating up for months. The public reacted in different ways and there was confusion over policy direction. At a private meeting, the President instructed that the reclamation be managed by the government, not by the private sector because their interest was only to seek profit, ignoring other factors. And that's how we took over the reclamation process.

But what is the reason for the takeover?

Public or state interest should be the number one (priority). No reclamation should raise the risk of flooding, upset shipping traffic or destroy marine biota and the environment, and the livelihood of fishermen.

When was all that discussed?

We first held a joint meeting on April 18, attended by the forestry minister; Ibu Susi (Fisheries and Marine Minister Susi Pudjiastuti), who was represented by her director-general; the transportation minister; and (Jakarta) Governor Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama). We decided to form a joint committee within two months to come up with recommendations (to resolve the problem). That committee is to consist of two or three directors-general from each of the ministries. The Jakarta administration is to be represented by the deputy governor in charge of spatial issues and Bappeda, the city's planning board.

Safri Burhanuddin: The committee will consist of three sections, the first on environmental strategy, the second on technical reclamation and the third on drafting reclamation regulations.

Islands C and D are not in the same category as Island G? 

Islands C and D were asked to deconstruct their canals.

Safri: Because they still have no permit (IMB).

The Jakarta governor felt this was an unfair decision because it was announced at a press conference.

Don't forget each minister holds his own authority, which is protected by law. That is of a higher level than even a presidential decision. Essentially, that means one minister can cancel out everything. In this case, three ministers had the authority, although others still insist on complying with Presidential Instruction No. 52/1995 (on the reclamation of the North Jakarta coast).

Have you communicated with the Presidential Palace over this? 

Look, don't start up things and don't be a crybaby, always running off to complain to the President. Don't drag the President into everything. Have pity on him. Three ministers have already decided.

So, what will happen to Island G?

Only 20 percent of it (has been touched). We plan to turn it into a mangrove conservation area and pass it on to the ministry of the environment and forestry. (*)

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine