Governor defends demolition

Governor defends demolition

JAKARTA (JP): Defending his subordinates, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said Saturday that the demolition of shanties along riverbanks is meant to improve the environment.

"Don't see the demolitions as inhumane actions against the people," he said.

He said the demolitions are part of the city's clean river program, which is an effort to protect the environment.

Surjadi said that the administration and residents should work together in preserving the environment.

Residents should gradually increase their awareness of the environment, he said.

"Please, don't dump garbage into waterways and don't build houses on riverbanks," Surjadi said during his weekly tour of Halim Perdanakusumah and Kebon Kepala subdistricts in East Jakarta.

The governor urged officials to promote the clean river program more widely. This would reduce misunderstandings among residents, he said. (yns)