C. Java governor told to stop $4.1m project<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has
\nordered Central Java Governor Soewardi to shelve his highly
\ncontroversial Rp 10 billion (US$4.1 million) building plan.<\/p>\n
Soewardi said yesterday the minister wanted him to stop the
\nproject and the ministry would send in a special team to
\ndetermine if it was viable.<\/p>\n
\"I have received the minister's letter (concerning the
\norder),\" the governor said.<\/p>\n
The reassessment team is expected to start work after the May
\n29 general election, he added.<\/p>\n
At the center of the controversy is Soewardi's insistence to
\nbuild a new headquarters for the local Association of Retired
\nCivil Servants.<\/p>\n
The plan has met strong opposition from provincial legislative
\ncouncil members, environmentalists and politicians. The
\ncontroversy has been manipulated by the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) to win public
\nsupport ahead of the election.<\/p>\n
The plan hangs in the balance as the PDI and PPP councilors
\nwill not compromise.<\/p>\n
Critics have questioned the cost of the proposed building
\nwhich they said is a waste of tax payers' money because the
\nassociation's office in northern Semarang is not fully occupied.<\/p>\n
They suspect the planned building on a prime 10,000-square-
\nmeter plot near the governor's office will be sold to private
\ninvestors.<\/p>\n
Environmentalists are also up in arms, alleging that the
\nproject would mean the destruction of a park which reduces
\nchocking air pollution in the city of 1.6 billion people.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Soewardi had come under attack for spending Rp 8
\nbillion to build his gubernatorial office.<\/p>\n
He said the minister \"did not reject\" the proposed project but
\nonly wanted to wait for the investigation team to deliver its
\nrecommendation.<\/p>\n
\"The team will assess aspects concerning the land, cost and
\nfeasibility. Every aspect of the project will be looked into,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added he would not lobby the minister to have the plan
\nendorsed but hoped the project would go ahead. \"We sincerely hope
\nthat the investigation team will come up with positive
\nrecommendations.\"<\/p>\n
Leader of the PPP councilors, Thoyfoer, told The Jakarta Post
\nhe was happy with the minister's policy.<\/p>\n
\"What a wise decision,\" he exclaimed. (har\/pan)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/c-java-governor-told-to-stop-41m-project-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }