Marine Ministry Warns of Dangers of Jakarta Reclamation Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Marine and Fishery Ministry has warned of the dangers of islet G reclamation in the Jakarta Bay. Director General of Marine Spacial Planning Brahmantya Setyamurti Poerwadi personally conveyed the message to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

“At the meeting, I warned Mr. Minister to be careful because Islet G is close to vital objects,” Brahmantya told Tempo yesterday, Sept. 7. He referred to a coordination meeting among ministries on Wednesday to decide on the repeal of a moratorium on Islet C and D of the reclamation project. 

Also attended the meeting were the National Land Agency (BPN) head, Jakarta Governor, Environment and Forestry Minister and the National Development Planning (BPPN) head.

Read: Gerindra Comments on Repeal of Sanction on Reclamation

At the meeting, Minister Luhut instructed Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya to conclude the study of the environmental impact analysis (amdal) of Islet G that will be developed by PT Muara Wisesa, a subsidiary of property giant Agung Podomoro Land. Luhut expected the study to be concluded in two weeks’ time. Once the environmental analysis requirements are met, the moratorium on Islet G construction will be revoked.

Brahmantya said that the vital objects that would be affected by Islet G of the reclamation project include coal-fired power plant (PLTU) in Muara Karang that supplies power to Gambir Station and Soekarno Hatta Airport.

PLTU Muara Karang relies on sea water to generate power and cool off the generators. Brahmantya feared that the construction of Islet G would disrupt the power plant’s operations. “Be careful. Don’t let it disrupt power supply,” he said.

Environment Minister Siti also said that she has warned Minister Luhut of the risks of the construction of Islet G in the reclamation project. “We have made a warning. Islet G is close to a power plant,” she said.

Rizal Ramli, former Maritime Minister, had earlier said that the reclamation project poses dangers to the environment, vital objects, ports and sea traffic.

Alvin Andronicus, Senior General Manager of Agung Podomoro Land, has played down the concerns. He said that the company has a system to anticipate all the risks. He claimed that the company has met all the requirements set by the Environment Ministry.

DEVY ERNIS