700 students study amid flies
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.