Govt to issue rule on spatial planning

JAKARTA: The government said on Thursday it would issue a regulation on spatial planning for each big island in the country to help save farming land, forests and green areas from construction projects.

Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno said the regulation for each island was necessary to keep green areas in every island at at least 20 to 30 percent of the total area of the island.

It is not clear why the government plans to issue regulations for each island, instead of one that encompasses them all.

He said the government would focus on issuing the spatial planning on Java and Bali islands, where many natural disasters, including floods and landslides, occurred recently.

The planned regulations would take effect in May, he said.

The government would also set up a special public investigator to examine violations of the regulations by businesses, Soenarno said. --JP