A legislator from West Sumatra apparently cannot understand why local authorities are opposing his business interests in the province, which he has represented at the national legislature for the past 12 years.

Veteran House of Representatives member Epyardi Asda has insisted that his company has not attempted to reclaim land in the development of his hotel and recreation center at Lake Singkarak, as concluded by West Sumatra authorities. He has insisted on going ahead with his controversial plan even though the government has made it clear that he will be issued a permit.

Epyardi told The Jakarta Post over the weekend that he had stopped construction activities three days ago. He insisted that no reclamation was being undertaken, but that piles were being driven into the ground as the beachfront on his land was steep.

“I will put sand on top of it for beach tourism,” he said, adding that he intended to develop a four-star hotel with 100 rooms on the site and a water recreational park worth Rp 100 billion (US$7.3 million).

The United Development Party (PPP) politician claimed that he had tried to obtain a permit from the Solok regency and had met officials 10 times, but to no avail.

“So I have not developed anything there yet because the license is not ready. It’s just piles,” said the member of House Commission V on infrastructure.

“There is no regulation that prohibits the beautification of the lake,” said Epyardi as quoted by Antara news agency.

The 107.9-square-kilometer Lake Singkarak, which is 21 kilometers in length and 7 kilometers wide, is located in Solok regency. It is well-known for its bilih fish (mystacoleucus padangensis). There are five lakes in the province, including Lake Maninjau.

West Sumatra Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) head Asrizal Asnan said a number of related institutions at the provincial and Solok regency administrations had met to discuss the project.

 “It is impossible to issue a hotel development license for the location according to spatial planning,” Asrizal told the Post on Friday.

Asrizal argued that the land owned by the company, which measured 1,520 square meters and was located next to Singkarak pier, would leave only 14.5 meters of land between it and the edge of the lake, while the minimum requirement was 50 meters.

He said West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno and the Solok regent fully agreed with the decision to halt the project.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment’s (Walhi) West Sumatra office head, Uslaini, said the project was began by PT Kalukua Indah Permai in July. In his estimation, the company had illegally reclaimed land 70 meters in length and 30 meters wide.

“We want the activity to be completely stopped. Otherwise, it may prompt others to do the same thing, and that would be a serious threat to the environment,” Uslaini said.

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