Experts, activists criticize resumed reclamation project

Mustaqim Adamrah ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 07/18/2008 11:17 AM  |  City

Experts and environmentalists have demanded the Jakarta Waterfront Development Board abort its plan to resume a reclamation project, citing the plan's environmental and economic risks.

Urbanologist Yayat Supriyatna, from Trisakti University, said Thursday the controversial project could not be carried out until it is approved in the State Ministry for the Environment's environmental impact analysis.

The Water Development Board, BP Pantura, works under the auspices of the Jakarta administration.

"The administration cannot recommence the project based on the environmental impact analysis issued solely by the Jakarta environmental management board (BPLHD)," Yayat said.

"The one issued by the State Ministry for the Environment is the most important," he added.

BPLHD head Budirama Natakusumah was not available for comment.

Yayat said the project must stop, as it would create "instability" in coastal areas in North Jakarta and the Thousand Islands regency.

"Developers, who run the project, prefer to save their properties and rake in huge profits from the project, instead of conserving the environment," he added.

At least 10 investors have signed a memorandum of understanding with the administration to complete the Rp 20 trillion (US$2.19 million) project, which involves reclamation of some 2,700 hectares of land on the north coast.

The investors are PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, PT Kapuk Naga Indah, PT Taman Harapan Indah, PT Bakti Bangun Era Mulia, PT Muara Wisesa Samudra, BPL Pluit, PT Jaladri Kartika Ekapasi, PT Manggala Krida Yudha, PT Dwi Marunda Makmur and Kawasan Berikat Nusantara, according to the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi Jakarta).

The reclaimed land is to be used for the construction of luxury houses, hotels, condominiums, an industrial zone, a port, business centers, shopping malls, offices and recreational areas.

The project, expected to take 30 years to complete, is set to resume, with Kapuk Naga Indah processing all the licenses needed to build one of the three islands also planned, according to BP Pantura executive director Amin Cakra Amidjaja.

Kosasih Wirahadi Kusumah, of PT Kapuk Naga Indah, was not available for confirmation.

Hydrologist Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, said he had found BP Pantura used "obsolete software" for the project's feasibility studies, "to convince all stakeholders that the project is environmentally safe".

Walhi Jakarta executive director Selamet Daroyni said there would be greater chaos in the city as a result of the project.

"The reclamation project will reduce the quality of the surrounding environment. Floods in Jakarta will never end and the impact of global warming will be much worse, while the sea level will continue to rise," he said.

"Look at the consequences of another reclamation project: Pantai Mutiara residence housing complex and the Muara Baru area (both in North Jakarta) had never been flooded, not until February this year, when both areas had floodwaters of up to 70 centimeters."

BP Pantura and the investors did not have any legal grounds to resume the project, as the Supreme Court is still examining an appeal by the ministry and has yet to hand down a final verdict, which should determine the future of the project, he added.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.