TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the giant sea wall project in North Jakarta must be completed immediately.
Luhut asserted that there have been studies on the construction of a sea wall since back in 1990 during President Soeharto's administration. In the study, according to Luhut, the sea wall is a form of the government's care for the people.
"Later, I checked with Pak Havas [Deputy I on Maritime Sovereignty Coordination] in Rotterdam, who participated in the designing phase of the giant sea wall [...] if it is not constructed, Jakarta will drown," Luhut said on Friday, March 24, 2017.
In addition, Luhut said that buildings being constructed in Central Jakarta have caused the sea level to rise, and causing the land to lower. As a result, Jakarta resident will face difficulties in finding clean water.
Luhut explained that currently, 40 percent of clean water in Jakarta are being supplied by the Jatiluhur reservoir in West Java. However, the reservoir's water quality have been dropping recently because it is being used for fish cultivation.
"That is why we can harness water from reclamation area, the giant sea wall will provide 40 percent of water supply in Jakarta," Luhut said.
Luhut claimed that the giant sea wall project is showing good progress. Luhut added that further studies related to the giant sea wall construction will be completed in the next two months by involving South Korea, the Netherlands, and Indonesia.
Luhut underlined that the government will also invite non-governmental organizations and discuss about the project to prevent miscommunication and future dispute.
DESTRIANITA