Garbage dump sparks protest

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)