Governor, mayor in environment feud

PEKANBARU, Riau: Pekanbaru mayor Oesman Effendi Apan refused to attend the World Environment Day commemoration on Saturday, after hearing Riau Governor Saleh Djasit would declare the city as the dirtiest among the province's towns during the ceremony.

The governor said he was ashamed to live in the city, and warned the mayor to use the award momentum to clean up the city and not regard it as a punishment.

"Many cities in Riau remain dirty because local authorities do not pay serious attention to handle small things like garbage," the governor said in his speech.

Other cities, like Tanjung Pinang, Batam and Bengkalis were also declared winners of the awards in the dirtiness. (prb)