Garbage dump sparks protest

BOGOR (JP): A group of Rancamaya village residents here staged a protest Monday to vent their opposition against the existence of a garbage dump 200 meters away from their residential area.

Usep, the protesters' spokesman, said the residents wanted the mayoralty to close down the garbage dump because it spoiled their environment.

"You can see here. Trash and flies are scattered everywhere," he said.

Usep said that when the mayoralty originally cleared the land, it told residents that the site would be used for a housing complex.

When the residents discovered that the land would be used as a garbage dump, they informed officials of their opposition to the plan, he said. "The mayoralty's answer was that the garbage dump would be well managed."

Responding to the residents' opposition, however, the head of the mayoralty's garden and sanitary office, Memet Sudarman, said the protest was illogical. It would only worsen the city's garbage problems if the dump were removed, he said.

"We will improve the management of the dump," was the only answer Memet offered.

The 9.21-hectare garbage dump has been operating over the last eight months.

A scavenger was reportedly buried in huge piles of garbage during a heavy rain Saturday. The man, identified as Usup, has yet to be found. (24/jun)