Sutiyoso trashes dump pollution complaints<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city administration negated reports of environmental damage
\nat its dump in Rawamalang, Cilincing, North Jakarta, saying that
\nsuch damage would not ensue immediately after its opening.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso was irked by reports that residents at the
\nalternative site -- following the Jan. 4 closure of Bantar Gebang
\ndump, Bekasi -- had protested about environmental damage.<\/p>\n
\"That's a lie. It's impossible,\" he said, but quickly added
\nthat the East Jakarta administration would check the dump.<\/p>\n
Media reports said many residents of the neighborhood had
\ncomplained of the impact of the open dump. Some have claimed that
\nmaggots and other pests from the dump came into their homes.<\/p>\n
Another newspaper quoted several locals who said that the
\nwaste, which was dumped haphazardly, had polluted the groundwater
\nand killed their pond fish.<\/p>\n
When asked why the alternative dump was not equipped with
\nproper waste treatment facilities to prevent damaging the
\nenvironment, Sutiyoso underlined that \"the dump will only be used
\ntemporarily\".<\/p>\n
He added, however, that his administration would take
\nresponsibility for any environmental damages caused by the dump,
\nbut declined to say what measures this would entail.<\/p>\n
Jakarta stopped dumping its 6,000 tons of daily waste at
\nBantar Gebang after 17 years, following complications over the
\nJakarta-Bekasi dump contract, which expired on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n
Prior to the expiration date, Bekasi mayor Akhmad Zurfaih and
\nSutiyoso had agreed to renew the contract, but the extension was
\nopposed by Bekasi councillors, as it was made without their
\nknowledge.<\/p>\n
The controversy over Bantar Gebang grew as residents who lived
\nnear the dump protested about health and environmental woes.<\/p>\n
In what seemed a personal move, Bekasi deputy mayor Mochtar
\nMohammad sent a facsimile to Sutiyoso to annul the extension
\nwhile proposing new conditions, including a Rp 85,000 (US$10)
\nprocessing fee for every ton of waste from Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Jakarta spokesman Muhayat revealed that the city sanitation
\nagency planned to meet with the Bekasi administration to discuss
\nthe fate of the dump on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Mochtar said on Friday that Taufik
\nKiemas, a legislative member and also the husband of President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, would visit the dump on Sunday, but
\ndeclined to reveal the purpose of Taufik's visit.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sutiyoso-trashes-dump-pollution-complaints-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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