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Reclamation decision unfair, legally questionable: Ahok
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Fishermen of Muara Angke hold a mock Padlock as part of a theatrical rally on Islet G in North Jakarta on April 17. The Fishermen symbolically sealedthe islet to celebrate the decision of the government and the House of Representatives, which temporarily stopped the Jakarta Bay reclamation project. JP/Seto Wardhana (The Jakarta Post/Seto Wardhana)
T
he central government's decision to halt one of the reclamation projects in the Jakarta Bay could be challenged in court, Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said on Friday.
Ahok expressed his disappointment over the government's order to stop the construction of Islet G developed by PT Muara Wisesa, a subsidiary of property giant Agung Podomoro Land on Thursday. Only halting construction of Islet G and letting other islets proceed with development was unfair, Ahok said.
“The government’s order leaves a lot of room for legal challenges as it is not fair. If the government wants to stop the project, it must also stop the reclamation of N, C, and D islets,” Ahok said at City Hall on Friday, adding that he hopes that central government officials will change their mind regarding the reclamation projects.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli ordered PT Muara Wisesa to immediately stop construction of Islet G as a joint team investigating the controversial reclamation projects had found that Islet G would cause environmental damage and disrupt shipping lanes.
Ahok said the order was confusing as, in his opinion, islets C and D, developed by Agung Sedayu Group, and Islet N, developed by state-owned industrial bonded zone operator PT Kawasan Berikat Nusantara were potentially more harmful than Islet G.
The developer had fulfilled all requirements prior to beginning the project and already signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned electricity company PLN and gas company PGN for the development of Islet G, he said. The company had also contributed to the construction of low-cost apartments in Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, Ahok claimed. (rin)
