TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Forum for the Environment’s (WALHI) disaster mitigation manager Mukri Friatna rejected the coastal reclamation plan along the Tangerang north coast as it will affect ecological balance of the sea in the area.

“Reclamation causes underwater biota such as coral reefs to die, including fish around the coral reefs,” Mukri said on Monday, adding that death of marine biota will harm ecological justice because all creatures deserve the right to live.

He continued that the government and developers would violate the Law No. 32/2009 about environmental protection and management if marine biota died. The law also states that reclamation is only allowed if environment is damaged because of abrasion.

He did not agree if the reclamation is only for business. “If the motive is business, then does the interest is in order to save the environment?” he said.

The Tangerang Regency government plans to conduct coast reclamation of 9,000-hectare beach. Tangerang is working with high-profile companies such as Salim Group and PT Agung Sedayu in order to execute the plan well. The reclamation is made for property business. In the future, there will be houses, business and services center, industrial area, stowage, seaport and containers.

ERWAN HERMAWAN