Luhut previously said there were no longer any problems holding back the resumption of construction of the islet, which was halted by Luhut’s predecessor, Rizal Ramli, due to legal and environmental concerns.

Rizal made the decision after receiving the results of an evaluation carried out by a joint team consisting of personnel from the Jakarta administration, Environment and Forestry Ministry, Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry and the Office of Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister.

“Luhut told me to come to the meeting. Previously, Rizal only told the media about the termination of the project. We have never received any official letter ordering us to stop the islet development,” Ahok said at City Hall on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the National Association of University Student Executive Bodies (BEM-SI) held a demonstration at the Hotel Indonesian (HI) traffic circle on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta to protest Luhut’s plan to continue the reclamation. The protesters said the project would not have any significant positive impact for people living in the area.   

In June, Rizal said gross violations had occurred in the development of islet G as it was being built above underwater electricity cables and in the path of shipping lanes. Furthermore, Islet G would damage the environment and disturb vital strategic projects and ship traffic, he claimed.

Rizal lost his position in the Cabinet during the latest reshuffle. (bbn)  

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