Central govt told to solve flood problem

JAKARTA: The central government should help the Jakarta city administration solve the capital's flood problems, a city councillor said Tuesday.

""The city administration cannot solve the problem alone. The central government must step in,"" councillor Effendi Simbolon told a meeting at the House of Representatives.

""Flood mitigation efforts have not been the best. Action must be taken to fix damage to drainage caused by development.""

Effendi, who is from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, said there are many flood victims still awaiting assistance.

He said the speedy deliberation of House bills on town planning and greater autonomy for Jakarta's government would help provide an integrated solution to the flood problem. -- Detik.com