Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, who was one of the visiting ministers, pointed out that the unification of islets C and D into one islet violated the permits of the reclamation, issued by the Jakarta city administration.

According to the permit, the two islets should be separated by a 300-meter wide canal, the minister said.

The two other ministers who visited the islet were Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli and Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya.

Siti revealed that the environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) documents for the construction of the islets did not include crucial environmental considerations like the provision of clean water, impact on undersea cables and pipes as well as sedimentation in the surrounding area.

During a meeting in April Rizal, Siti and Ahok agreed to suspend the reclamation in Jakarta Bay, pending the government’s assessment of the documentation and the procedures of the reclamation.

There was no activity on the islet being constructed by PT Kapuk Naga Indah (KNI), a subsidiary company of Agung Sedayu Group, on Wednesday. Some heavy equipment was parked upon the sand-based islet. However, some security and construction workers still watched  over the land. Journalists have not been given free rein to examine the islet.

But dozens of almost-finished buildings have been constructed on the one islet that is supposed to be Islets C and D. The buildings cannot possibly have construction permits (IMB) because the legal basis for issuing the permits has not been approved by the City Council.

The City Council stopped the deliberation of the two reclamation bills that would have been the legal basis for the reclamation process following the arrest of Mohamad Sanusi, a city councilor, for allegedly accepting a bribe from PT Agung Agung Promoro, whose two executives have also been named suspects by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Responding to a question about the unification of the two islets, KNI director Nono Sampono said the islet unification was not permanent. Citing a European theory, the islets should be unified for three years before the land can be separated.

When the foundation materials have become condensed it will be safe for the islets to be split. The construction of the islet was completed in 2014. "If we get a permit to continue the project, we can start working to build the canal even today," Nono said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Nono, who is also the president director of Agung Sedayu Group, said that developers would construct a 100-meter canal to split the two islets.

“It will comply with regulations in accordance with the Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI), the consultant firm that has been contracted by the Forestry and Environment Minister, the canal size of each reclaimed islet will vary, starting from 100 to 300 meters,” he said, adding that for islets C and D, the canal would be 100 to 150 meters in width.

Responding to Nono’s explanation, minister Siti said her ministry would further check the regulation regarding the canal width requirement. She added that she would issue a letter that would include a further direction for the developer to improve the islets’ construction.

 Minister Rizal expressed the hope that the Forestry and Environment Ministry would issue a letter next week. He also called on the city administration to ensure social integration in the reclaimed islets. "We don't want there to be a fortress that separates rich people and poor people. The reclaimed islets should also be utilized by poor people," Rizal said. (bbn)

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