TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that the half-constructed reclamation island in Jakarta Bay must be utilized. He asserted that the reclamation termination only affects the ones that have yet to be built.
“The government isn’t saying that it would [continue the project]. But what has already been constructed must be continued. I think that the Jakarta Government would also agree,” said Jusuf Kalla on Tuesday, October 31.
Read: Jokowi to Discuss Jakarta Bay Reclamation with Anies - Sandiaga
The statement issued by Jusuf Kalla answered the question whether the Jakarta Government and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs are not like-minded. Jakarta Administration issued a statement that they would stop the reclamation project, however, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan once said that the reclamation project will not be stopped.
Jusuf Kalla argued that it was nearly impossible to dismantle the reclaimed island, considering that the government will have to spend more on dismantling the project than continuing it.
Read: Govt to Revoke Jakarta Bay Reclamation Moratorium
According to the Vice President, the meeting he held with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno on Thursday, October 26, talked about the reclamation project. Jusuf Kalla reminded Anies that the reclamation project must bring for the society and the government.
Amirullah
