Disputed highway project wins Maga's backing

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam

Defying mounting criticism, President Megawati Soekarnoputri threw her weight on Sunday behind the controversial Ladia Galaska highway project that runs through the Leuser National Reserve Park.

While the project should continue, its management had to produce a strategy to reduce potential environmental damage, or risk an international backlash, she said, while visiting the war- torn province of Aceh.

"International criticism of the project should be anticipated and avoided," she said.

The Ladia Galaska project has gone ahead at a slow pace, partly because of the fierce criticism it has faced.

It consists of a highway and bridges 504.9 kilometers long, which run through 164 kilometers of protected forests. The government has earmarked Rp 240 billion for the project.

Megawati said she was aware of mounting opposition against the project, especially from environmentalists.

They have rejected the highway, saying that it would encourage people to settle around the park and endanger the rare flora and fauna there.

The project has also split the cabinet, with environment minister Nabiel Makarim and forestry minister M. Prakosa warning of environmental damage resulting from the project, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure.

The protests should be taken into account, the President said.

"If a circumventing road needs to be built, it should be built. Although it will extend the project more than three years, it will not be a problem. The environment should be protected," she said.

Megawati also proposed the project committee should fence the highway, so that it could prevent the rise of new settlements and commercial ventures.

During her visit to Aceh, the first since she declared martial law in the province in May last year, Megawati opened several projects, including the Dayan Dawood building at the Syiah Kuala University. Dayan was a senior lecturer, who was killed by Free Aceh Movement separatists in 2001.

During the three-hour visit, Megawati, who wore a white veil, promised the Acehnese martial law would be lifted in May this year. She did not say if the end of martial law would mean the end of major military operations in the province. She was tightly guarded by military personnel during the visit.

The Aceh visit was part of a series of visits the President has made nationwide as the election draws near. They have also included trips to Cirebon and Bandung in West Java and Demak in Central Java.