700 students study amid flies<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang<\/p>\n
Students of Babakan state elementary school have put up with
\nflies and the stench of garbage emanating from a dump positioned
\nright outside their school for over two years now.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of residents of three villages around the 3.5 hectare
\ndump in Cisauk, Tangerang regency say they are worried about the
\nhealth risks of living near the dump.<\/p>\n
\"Since the dump opened two years ago, students and residents
\nhave lived in unpleasant conditions with flies and a bad smell
\ncoming from the dump,\" Muwadih, a teacher at the school told The
\nJakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
She said the school -- which has 700 students -- and residents
\nhad repeatedly filed complaints about the illegal dump to the
\nvillage, district and regental administrations but no response
\nhad been issued.<\/p>\n
Muwadih said residents of Babakan, Pabuaran and Pocis villages
\nhad once gathered to discuss the problem but hoodlums, allegedly
\nhired by the illegal dump operator, had threatened them at their
\nhouses.<\/p>\n
\"Residents of the three villages decided not to discuss the
\nillegal dump site until they obtained the support of the regental
\nadministration,\" she added.<\/p>\n
The dump's operator, a local businessman, could not be reached
\nfor comment on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Sulih, 27, a local resident, said that at least 20 trucks
\nentered the site to dispose of garbage every day.<\/p>\n
\"The illegal dump is managed solely by a Jakarta-based
\nbusinessman,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the businessman had employed a dozen hoodlums to guard
\nthe dump, who were backed up by certain administration officials
\nand police officers.<\/p>\n
According to Sulih, the regency's public order agency had
\ntwice placed written warnings against dumping garbage at the site
\nbut the signs had been taken down soon after their departure.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the administration takes serious action against the
\nbusinessman because if this condition persists, sooner or later,
\nstudents and residents will face health problems such as diarrhea
\nand respiratory conditions,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/700-students-study-amid-flies-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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