Reclamation Project of Islet C, D Cannot be Stopped: Official
3 August 2017 19:46 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta regional secretary Saefullah said that the deliberations on draft bylaws (raperda) on reclamation project should immediately be started. It must be done despite the fact that the Strategic Environmental Study (KLHS) for the project has not been completed.
He reasoned that the construction of reclamation project for islet C and D cannot be stopped.
Read: Minister Luhut Reclamation Project will Not be Stopped
Islet C and D are being built by PT Kapuk Naga Indah, a subsidiary of property giant PT Agung Sedayu Group. Jakarta administration has earlier granted new environmental permits for the two artificial islets. The permits were issued after the developer corrected 11 errors that had prompted the Environment Ministry to issue a moratorium on the project.
Saefullah said that at least 30 hectares of land each on the two islets are given to developers by Jakarta administration as a contribution of five percent of the reclaimed area in the project. He said that the land will be used for the public interest.
“[The land will be used] to build docks for fishermen to berth at the west side. Where will they live? We will build low-cost apartments on reclaimed islands,” Saefullah said.
Read: Walhi Government Must Obey Ruling over Reclamation Project
Moreover, Saefullah also promises that Jakarta administration will establish a marine restaurant. He said that the entire 30 hectares of land will be used for fishermen.
Saefullah said that the process will continue until the moratorium is revoked by the central government. “The items are already there. Except some that have not been built yet, it will depend on the local head,” he said.
Two draft bylaws on reclamation project had been discussed last year but the deliberations were stopped following the revelations of a bribery case implicating Mohamad Sanusi in March. Sanusi, a member of Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) from Gerindra Faction, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission in a sting operation on March 31.
In the bribery case, Sanusi has admitted to accepting bribes from former PT Agung Podomoro Land CEO Ariesman Widjaja. The bribe was offered to lower additional contribution charged to developers of reclaimed islands.
LARISSA HUDA
