TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the government will not stop the reclamation project in the Jakarta Bay. He reasoned that the National Development Planning Agency’s (Bappenas) study show that the city is sinking faster than expected.
According to Luhut, the condition could get worse due to climate change. The waters in rivers can no longer flow downhill because of gravity. As a result, waters will need to be pumped into the ocean.
Luhut added that the government has no other choice other than to go ahead with the reclamation project as tidal flooding has become uncontrollable. The government is still studying the project and will announce the results after Eid al-Fitr.
He told observers not to merely talk to the media but also discuss the issue with him at the Maritime Ministry building. “We will roll the red carpet [for observers].”
He said that the government will admit wrongdoing if the observers were proven right. “For example, if Islet G technically needs to be cut to half, we will correct it,” he said.
Luhut said he is bemused by criticism pointed to the government. “If you do want to question it, wasn’t the port built on reclaimed [area], should we dismantle it also?”
CAESAR AKBAR|SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA