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Challenge reclamation regulations in court, Ahok tells naysayers
Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has insisted on sticking to formal regulations in proceeding with the controversial Jakarta Bay reclamation project and has challenged those who oppose it to take it to court.
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This photo taken on April 5 shows reclamation activities in Jakarta Bay. The Jakarta administration insists that the reclamation project is legal and based on existing regulations . (Antara/Wahyu Putro)
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akarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has insisted on sticking to formal regulations in proceeding with the controversial Jakarta Bay reclamation project and has challenged those who oppose it to take it to court.
Ahok claimed that the reclamation project was being used to tarnish his image amid his plan to run as a candidate in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election, especially following the alleged bribery case being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
"The issue has become connected to the Jakarta election. We have the regulations. If anyone thinks it's illegal just take it to the Administrative Court [PTUN]," he told journalists at the City Hall.
Ahok insisted that he was authorized to issue the permits for the reclamation project last year to four developers based on the 1995 presidential decree issued by late former president Soeharto and the 1995 bylaw on the reclamation implementation and the North Jakarta coastal spatial planning. The regulations mandated the reclamation of 17 man-made islets off the north coast of the capital.
The KPK has named city councilor Mohammad Sanusi of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and property tycoon Ariesman Widjaja of developer PT Agung Podomoro Land as suspects for alleged bribery in discussions about the rezoning bylaws.
The KPK also slapped a travel ban on powerful property tycoon Sugianto Kusuma on Monday. Sugianto runs property giant Agung Sedayu Group, which controls a quarter of the mega project.
Ahok vowed to give any related documents required by the KPK and was ready to be summoned by the antigraft commission in relation to the case. (rin)
