Surjadi wants 'greener' officials<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja expressed concern
\nyesterday over the numerous officials who are easily bribed to
\nrecommend the development of green belt areas into commercial
\nprojects.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening of the 17th Jakarta Environmental
\nCommunication Forum at the Cempaka Hotel in East Jakarta, Surjadi
\nsaid the city had embarked on a wide range of environmental
\nschemes, including the Blue Sky program, the Clean River program
\nand the one million tree movement.<\/p>\n
However he admitted that many of them were not running as well
\nas expected.<\/p>\n
These initiatives would be useless if the officials act
\ninconsistently in upholding environmental regulations, he said.<\/p>\n
The governor urged city officials to give greater priority to
\nthe improvement of the environment than to the money offered by
\nbusinessmen.<\/p>\n
Surjadi said that the officials' indifference also hindered
\nthe city's efforts to save the environment.<\/p>\n
"Once I asked a subdistrict head why there are illegal
\nbuildings along the river banks. He just said he did nothing to
\nprevent it because there was no official order from his
\nsuperiors," Surjadi said.<\/p>\n
The governor also highlighted the fact that he was always
\ncriticized, whatever decision he makes regarding the environment.<\/p>\n
"I've often been asked by big contractors to give permits for
\nthem to develop commercial projects. But I turn their proposals
\ndown because they are against the city spatial plans.<\/p>\n
"Then they accuse me of obscuring development," he said.<\/p>\n
He urged all Jakartans to actively participate in the
\nenvironment programs by persuading their families to adopt a
\ngreener lifestyle.<\/p>\n
The forum is held annually to monitor the latest developments
\nin the five mayoralties' environmental activities.<\/p>\n
This year, for example, Central Jakarta is focusing on air
\ncleanliness, North Jakarta on groundwater, South Jakarta on salt
\nwater intrusion, East Jakarta on garbage and West Jakarta on
\nhousing.<\/p>\n
The forum is also discussing issues on air pollution caused by
\ngas emissions from vehicles and industrial plants. (07)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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