Construction of Indosat tower halted

TANGERANG: In response to protests by local residents, the municipal administration ordered a halt to the construction of a PT Indosat tower on Jl. Tanah Seratus, Sudimara Jaya village, Cileduk district, Tangerang.

According to one resident, Achmad Satiri, the construction was stopped last week in response to the residents' objections to the 50-meter tall tower being put up in the densely populated area.

"We are worried the tower will emit radiation that will harm the health of residents," he said.

When residents first learned of the plan to construct the tower in May, they delivered a protest letter to Tangerang Mayor M. Thamrin.

But the contractor continued work on the tower, having already paid a Rp 50 million rental fee to the owner of the land.

An official at the local office of the Public Order Agency said the construction was halted because the necessary permits had not been secured, including a building permit and a site plan permit.

After the construction was stopped, a number of housewives went to the Public Order Agency office to express their gratitude. --JP