TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, announced that he is ready to discuss about Jakarta’s Northern coast reclamation with the upcoming Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, who has been actively opposing the reclamation project in throughout his campaigns.

“Maybe Pak Anies isn’t too familiar about the reclamation project. I guess [he] will have a clearer perception about it after he sees the data,” Luhut said on Thursday, April 21, 2017.

Luhut continued to stated that he will explain the reasons on why State Officials chose to conduct the reclamation. What’s sure is that it is for national interest, Luhut said, and also for Jakarta’s interest.

“Jakarta’s elevation continues to drop even lower each year. It can reach an annual 17.5 centimeters up to 23 centimeters from sea level,” Luhut explained.

Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno has always been vocal about their rejection against the reclamation. They even planned to convert the reclamation site into a destination that can be enjoyed by a large number of society.

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Resources, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fishery, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry agreed to postpone the reclamation project for the time being. It will be continued after the joint committee have discussed thoroughly by them.

ISTMAN MP