Jakarta's Gabion Installation Probed for Using Protected Corals

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) assures that it will soon summon the initiator of Jakarta’s new gabion installation which is believed by critics - including an expert in the field – to have sourced its stacked rocks from precious and protected coral reefs.  

“I requested the director of conservation and the directorate-general of maritime resources and fisheries supervisor to summon the [art’s] initiator,” said the Ministry's Director General of ocean space management Brahmantya S. Poerwadi in a text message to Tempo on Sunday.

The summoning according to Brahmantya, which is set to be led by Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, will confirmation from the artist regarding the Gabion installation. He explains that the conservation of coral reefs is clearly mentioned in Law No.27/2007 juncto Law No.1/2014 on coastline management and small islands.

Article 35 bars people from mining corals directly or indirectly that could cause damage to the coral reef ecosystem and is strictly against any form of methods or tools that would eventually cause the death of coral reefs.

The gabion installation promoted by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had been subject to criticism by environmental activist Riyanni Djangkaru expressed through her personal Instagram account @r_djangkaru.

Riyanni recalled that after a close inspection on the gabion installation, she found that the stones within the gabion formation consist of 75 percent stacked coral stones, which she said was clearly evident and consist of various types of coral stones.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | LIANI DIANA WIJAYA