TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs strived to expedite the revitalization of Citarum River. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the government would earmark IDR 640 billion for the project of the longest river in West Java.

"[The budget amounted to] some IDR 640 billion is managed by West Java Governor. It is expected to be immediately completed. The governor as the party in charge has drafted the detailed plan. If the fund is disbursed in January-February, I think we will see changes in April-Mei of next year," said Luhut as noted in a written statement dated December 6, 2018.

Luhut made the statement while monitoring Sector 8 of Citarum River. In the occasion, he appreciated the work of the task force team that consisted mostly of the Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel.

The government, Luhut added, planned to install incinerator in one system. Incinerator is a waste burner or treatment systems that are operated using combustion technology at a certain high-temperature.

Luhut mentioned that several regional heads in West Java sent many suggestions regarding the plan of Citarum River Revitalization, such as building 10 hectares of an artificial lake, riverbank elevations, and others.

Responding to the inputs, Luhut continued, the government in tandem with academics from Bandung Technology Institute would analyze and study the matter.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO