Beach reclamation work continues without permits

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

Two private companies are continuing land reclamation work on the coastline near Dadap village in Kosambi district, Tangerang regency, even though they lack permits from the regental administration.

Regency spatial agency officer Didin said on Tuesday that the reclamation work, which started in 2000, had caused environmental damage.

"The reclamation work has killed marine life and coral reefs along the coast," he said. "The two companies, however, still have not obtained permits from the administration."

PT Koperasi Pasir Putih is reclaiming a five-hectare beach for an amusement center like Ancol in North Jakarta while PT Parung Harapan is reclaiming another five hectares for a luxury housing estate and warehouse complex.

Didin said that both companies had yet to apply for environmental impact analyses on the projects.

"An environmental impact analysis by the environmental management agency is the main requirement for obtaining a permit for reclamation and construction work."

However, he said, the administration was as yet unsure which office had jurisdiction to issue permits for the reclamation projects.

"But we could use a regental decree on development plans in several northern districts, such as Kosambi, Teluk Naga and Pakuhaji, which gives authority to our office ... The most important thing is that the companies will have to arrange the permits soon or we will be forced to take resolute action against them," he said.

When The Jakarta Post visited the reclamation sites on Tuesday, several trucks were seen carrying soil to the sites.

However, none of the two companies' executives could be contacted for confirmation.

Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar has ordered his subordinates to halt the reclamation work.

"I have also summoned directors of the two companies to clarify why they have not arranged for environmental impact analyses but have instead insisted on pushing ahead with the projects," he said.