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Anies woos North Jakarta fishermen
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Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan (right) and his running mate Sandiaga Uno (left) explain their programs during a campaign event at Banteng Square in Central Jakarta on Feb. 5. (Antara/M.Agung Rajasa)
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nly a week before voting day in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan visited fishermen in Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, on Wednesday, promising to terminate the city’s controversial reclamation projects if elected governor.
The former culture and education minister said the project had cost fishermen their livelihoods and only delivered commercial benefits to businesspeople. Of the several islets that have already been built, Anies said he planned to open them up to the public.
“Jakarta residents have the right to get new beaches, and you, the fishermen, could catch more fish in your nets if there are more beaches here,” he told the fishermen.
The reclamation of 17 artificial islets along the northern Jakarta coast, initiated in 1995, has been halted for quite some time. Former governor Fauzi Bowo issued permits for islets C, D and E, while Ahok issued permits for islets G, F, I, K and H.
(Read also: Sandiaga Uno launches running shoes line)
Fishermen and activists have filed lawsuits against the city administration on the grounds that the projects damage the environment.
Anies also called on the fishermen to vote for him, emphasizing that he was the only one of the three candidate tickets who had always stood firmly against reclamation.
“I have consistently fought for your interests. However, my fight for you will have been a waste if you don’t cast your votes for me,” he said. (bbs)
