“Let me observe the islets first and consider the benefits of the development of such a project. I don’t want to make the wrong decision and adversely affect investors,” Luhut told journalists at the ministry.

He added that he would need at least two weeks before being able to comment further on reclamation projects.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed Luhut, who previously served as coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, to replace Rizal Ramli, who had ordered the termination of Islet  G’s development, saying a committee had recommended it.

Members of the committee are representatives of the Jakarta administration, the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, the Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry and the Environment and Forestry Ministry.

Besides improper environment documentation, the reason for the termination of Islet G was stated as being that the new islet would endanger ships passing through the area.

Tuti Kusumawati, head of the Jakarta Development Planning Board, who is a representative of the Jakarta administration on the committee, however, said on Thursday that the committee never recommended the termination of Islet G’s development.

In response, Rizal said that he trusted the new minister to make a good decision on the reclamation projects. (wnd)

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