Jakarta – The Save Jakarta Bay Coalition (KSTJ) is urging the Jakarta administration to dismantle the four existing reclamation projects on Jakarta Bay, citing the severe environmental damages they have caused in the surrounding area.
The recommendation came following Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's decision on Wednesday to revoke permits for the reclamation of 13 man-made islets in Jakarta Bay.
Coalition member Tigor Hutapea pointed to islet G, which he said had caused land abrasion and water pollution. "Islet G is a lost cause. It's better for it to be dismantled," Tigor said as quoted by kompas.com.
He went on to say that islets C and D had caused tidal floods and regularly sent a bad odor into surrounding areas like Dadap and Muara Kamal.
"Considering the serious environmental impacts, we recommend that they be dismantled. However, if Anies can assure that the existence of those islets will not worsen the environmental damage and the islets can be managed at an affordable cost, then go ahead and use them as pleased," Tigor said.
Anies has said that a special team on reclamation management would monitor the impact of islets C, D, G and N on the Jakarta Bay. (nor)