PKS rejects bylaw on MRT system

Sat, 05/17/2008 11:15 AM  |  City

JAKARTA: The provincial chapter of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) announced Friday it refused to approve the ordinance on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

The party said the MRT project needed a thorough environmental assessment.

"Land and soil conditions in Jakarta are unstable due to sea water intrusion as well as groundwater exploitation," said Triwisaksana, the PKS chairman of the Jakarta chapter, as quoted by Detik.com.

He said PKS realized the importance of such public transportation in the city, however, without a proper environmental evaluation, the MRT project could be another "ivory tower" project, which would cost a lot of money but fail to solve the city's problems.

"We need to understand the project thoroughly. It is estimated it will cost Rp 10 trillion (US$1.1billion), about half of our entire city budget," he said.

Triwisaksana said aside from the absence of thorough environmental assessment, the project would also burden residents.

"Loans from Japan will finance the project, which means residents will have to pay the debt," he said.

The Japanese loans are worth Rp 8.3 trillion.

"We won't approve the bylaw before we're sure what the benefits and disadvantages for the people are," he said. -JP

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