Jakarta denies flood negligence claims

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 07/10/2007 11:09 AM  |  Jakarta

JAKARTA: The city administration on Monday denied victims' claims of negligence and mismanagement during and after devastating floods in February.

Responding to a lawsuit filed by a group of flood victims, lawyers for the administration told the Central Jakarta District Court that Governor Sutiyoso and the five city mayors fulfilled all measures required by a 2002 gubernatorial decree on disaster management.

""The city administration did its best in implementing measures contained in the city's water planning system,"" lawyer Made Suarjaya said.

He said the system was based on the city's flood mitigation system, which is in accordance with a 1999 bylaw on spatial planning.

The lawyers also said the administration ran several disaster awareness campaigns to increase public awareness of the need to prevent flooding.

They said the administration also mobilized rescue teams during and after the week-long floods.

Victims are seeking Rp 51.7 million (US$5,717) in damages for material losses and Rp 100 million for psychological distress.

They are also seeking a Rp 5 billion community compensation fund and a public apology from the administration.

The trial will continue next week with a response from the plaintiffs. -- JP

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