Garbage a disaster in Jakarta

Garbage a disaster in Jakarta

Unexpectedly, Bekasi's legislative council closed Bantar
Gebang dump, which had been leased out to Jakarta's
administration.

For the benefit of the public, many circles hope that this
dump could still be used, though with new requirements. We are
not blaming Bekasi; neither are we defending Jakarta. We only
fear that this closure may spell disaster, similar to what
happened in Surabaya two months ago. So, we at least hope that
efforts may be made to minimize the impact of this closure.

At this juncture, it may be useful to trace back how the
closure occurred. The existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between Jakarta and Bekasi stipulates that the lease will not be
terminated until 2003.

Only since the middle of this year, did Bekasi, all of a
sudden, demand that the dump be closed down, following Jakarta's
refusal to meet Bekasi's claim for half the dump area. Governor
Sutiyoso had promised new negotiations on this matter after the
MoU expires in 2003.

As the closure was made definite by Bekasi, Jakarta can only
bring the case to the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Home
Affairs. In the meantime, Jakarta is eying a new site in Jonggol.

Of course, the problem is not as easy as it sounds. The daily
volume of garbage in Jakarta, a city with a population of 8.5
million, amounts to 6,250 tons, but currently only 88 percent of
this can be handled. So, although Bantar Gebang dump remains
operational, garbage remains a problem; the more so if it is
closed.

Why not designate Jonggol as a site for a new dump for
Jakarta? Well, it is not that easy, as an in-depth environmental
study and land preparation such as the sanitary landfill system
would need to be carried out.

It is this system that the Bekasi legislative council
complained about because it is not effective. Experts say that
this system is now outdated as it cannot prevent environmental
pollution. As a result, 108 hectares of land at Bantar Gebang
dump have been heavily polluted.

Garbage has become a contentious issue between neighboring
Jakarta and Bekasi. This is not the first time such a problem has
come to our attention. This is only part of an accumulation of
problems. Ethics apart, Bekasi and Jakarta could have anticipated
this conflict much earlier so that the interest of the community
would not be harmed.

-- Warta Kota , Jakarta