Developer's actions at odds with regreening: Sutiyoso

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday he had lodged an official letter of protest with the developer of the planned triple-tier transit system over its unpopular decision to remove trees planted by the city.

In the letter, Sutiyoso pointed out that hundreds of trees in Bendi Park in South Jakarta have been planted by the municipality since early last month as part of its regreening campaign.

"The developer (PT Citra Moda Margakencana Persada) pulled them out just like that," he said. "I have protested!"

The governor did not explain what the municipality would demand in compensation or when he sent the letter to the firm, which is jointly owned by PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada -- run by President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana -- along with the state railway company (Perumka) and state-owned highway corporation PT Jasa Marga.

The developer's actions were at odds with the city's efforts to make Jakarta green, Sutiyoso said.

The regreening efforts at Bendi Park were part of the city's greening program which was symbolically launched on Jan. 10, when Governor Sutiyoso officially dedicated Semanggi cloverleaf in South Jakarta as its symbol.

On the same day, about 14,000 trees were planted throughout the city's five mayoralties including at Bendi Park.

Media reports Monday disclosed that about 1,000 trees were pulled out a few weeks ago in preparation for the project's groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at Bendi Park.

President Soeharto is expected to attend the ceremony for the triple-tier system, which is to consist of 23.65 kilometers of toll roads and 22km of light-rail tracks connecting Kebayoran Lama in the south to Kota in the north, Sutiyoso said.

Data from the City Park Agency shows that Bendi Park is a 3.5- hectare green area with various species of trees, such as poinciana, mahogany and mango.

The plot, located on either side of the railway tracks near Tanah Kusir Cemetery, is shared by Perumka and the agency.

South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said the trees pulled out of Bendi Park were considered "protector trees".

"Most of the trees were already 10 meters tall. And some of the plants were rare, too, such as mahogany, Tanjung and Trembesi."

He said some of the trees were planted and inaugurated by Sutiyoso some time ago as part of the city's regreening campaign.

Pardjoko said the most important thing now was for the developer to replace the plants.

"The trees belong to the city. As long as they give the trees back, there will be no problems. I believe the project has hired a special environmental impact study team, so they wouldn't go around destroying the trees."

The corporate secretary of Siti Hardiyanti's Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada, Fariza Irawadi, speaking on behalf of the developer, said yesterday evening that 670 of the 1,895 trees were cleared from the area in preparation for tomorrow's ceremony.

"The other important reason is because 20 percent of the 3.5- hectare plot is to be turned into the Bendi Light-Rail Train (LRT) Station."

Fariza said the developer had notified the City Park Agency about the removal of the trees and had agreed, in return, to plant trees on plots managed by the agency shortly after the ceremony.

"The empty plot in Bendi, which will be used as an LRT station will belong in its entirely to the project, as it is owned by Perumka.

"So, the plants have to go and the land has to be cleared.

"Pulling out the trees is actually included in the land clearance agreement for the project as stated in Gubernatorial Decree No.1550/1997."

Fariza said the developer also planned to create a green lane along the corridor of the triple-tier transit system's routes.

"So obviously we are not against the city's regreening campaign. Not at all. If we have to move some plants, it is only in relation to the project's needs.

"But, of course, we will replace the lost plants and other materials. Do not worry."

Deputy Governor for Social Welfare Affairs Djailani said the incident was a fresh example of the lack of coordination between the administration and the developer.

"Such things shouldn't occur if the interests of both parties are matched," he said. (ind/edt)