TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno seems indifferent to foreign media reports on the Sentiong Sunter River—popularly known as "Kali Item", which literally translates to "black river"—located adjacent to the 2018 Asian Games athletes' apartment complex.
“I saw it on Channel NewsAsia, but this is Indonesia, we are participative, collaborative,” he said in Central Jakarta today. “Foreign news media may focus on us, but we will show them that this will be the best Asian Games.”
The infamous black river is located a stone-throw away from the Kemayoran Athletes’ apartment complex in Central Jakarta, which will house foreign athletes vying in the Games in August. The river is known to produce foul odors.
Read: Ahead of Asian Games, `Black` River near Athlete Dorm Covered
Sandiaga added he was reflecting on the 2018 World Cup host nation Russia, which had its shortfalls be under the limelight of many foreign media outlets. However, Sandiaga said in the end Russia proved the country was able to host the most organized world cup event.
“We shouldn’t be oscillated by what others say, don’t let that situation tear us apart since this is the time to unite. We should show them that are capable of doing so, we should not question our abilities,” said Sandiaga Uno.
The deputy governor explained the government was managing the issue by covering up the surface of the black river with large nets to prevent its odor from spreading to the Asian Games athletes’ apartment complex.
ZARA AMELIA
