Councillors to summon regent over reclamation

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

Tangerang regency councillors will summon Regent Ismet Iskandar and officials from two companies involved in land reclamation projects near Dadap beach in Kosambi district.

Councillors plan to question the parties over allegations the reclamation work has severely damaged the environment.

"We did not expect to see that the reclamation work by PT Koperasi Pasir Putih and PT Parung Harapan had severely damaged hectares of mangrove forest there," councillor Sys Abdulgani of Commission D for development affairs said on Saturday after an official visit to the beach.

He said none of the relevant agencies in the regency administration claimed to have issued permits for the work. He called on the administration to halt the work and save what was left of the mangrove forest.

Councillor Wakiman of Commission A for legal affairs said he did not believe the reclamation work could proceed without the necessary permits. He even acknowledged that some officials could have helped the companies in getting the projects started.

PT Koperasi Pasir Putih plans to build a five-hectare tourist resort on the reclaimed land, while PT Parung Harapan hopes to construct an upscale housing estate and a warehouse complex on another five hectares of land.

The two companies started the reclamation work in 2000 and have continued their projects despite the fact that they do not have the required permits from the administration.

Regent Ismet promised earlier that he would put a halt to the reclamation work and summon the developers. However, after meeting between the regent and executives from the two companies the reclamation continued.

Article 38 of Environment Law No. 23/1997 stipulates that anyone who destroys mangrove forests faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp 500 million (US$53,191).