700 students study amid flies

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

Students of Babakan state elementary school have put up with flies and the stench of garbage emanating from a dump positioned right outside their school for over two years now.

Hundreds of residents of three villages around the 3.5 hectare dump in Cisauk, Tangerang regency say they are worried about the health risks of living near the dump.

"Since the dump opened two years ago, students and residents have lived in unpleasant conditions with flies and a bad smell coming from the dump," Muwadih, a teacher at the school told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

She said the school -- which has 700 students -- and residents had repeatedly filed complaints about the illegal dump to the village, district and regental administrations but no response had been issued.

Muwadih said residents of Babakan, Pabuaran and Pocis villages had once gathered to discuss the problem but hoodlums, allegedly hired by the illegal dump operator, had threatened them at their houses.

"Residents of the three villages decided not to discuss the illegal dump site until they obtained the support of the regental administration," she added.

The dump's operator, a local businessman, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Sulih, 27, a local resident, said that at least 20 trucks entered the site to dispose of garbage every day.

"The illegal dump is managed solely by a Jakarta-based businessman," he said.

He said the businessman had employed a dozen hoodlums to guard the dump, who were backed up by certain administration officials and police officers.

According to Sulih, the regency's public order agency had twice placed written warnings against dumping garbage at the site but the signs had been taken down soon after their departure.

"We hope the administration takes serious action against the businessman because if this condition persists, sooner or later, students and residents will face health problems such as diarrhea and respiratory conditions," he said.