TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said that the Jakarta administration is committed to restore the condition of the Ciliwung River. "We will take it back," said Ahok on Friday, July 24, 2015.
Ahok said that he wanted to take back Ciliwung as a government asset and hoped to turn it into a tourist attraction and wildlife conservation area.
Ahok said that the goal can only be achieved if the government and local communities could join hand in hand in preserving the river.
Ahok added that relocating people living on Ciliwung River banks requires a special budget for compensation. "[We] must issue a regional regulation [on the compensation budget]. If the people refuse to accept [the compensation], we will enforce order," Ahok said.
ERWAN HERMAWAN