Gradual closure of garbage dump urged

Gradual closure of garbage dump urged

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Farid A. Moeloek suggested on
Friday that the operation of the controversial Bantar Gebang
garbage dump in Bekasi be phased out gradually in order to take
into account the interests of local scavengers.

Moeloek said an immediate closure would not be a wise
decision, because scavengers and their families were wholly
dependent on incomes derived from trash taken from the 65-hectare
site.

"We have to find a solution that will include the interests of
both scavengers and local residents," the minister said at his
office.

Since the dump was first opened in 1986, residents have
repeatedly complained to the local Bekasi administration about
the site. They say the dump has polluted the air, and led to
health problems such as respiratory diseases and skin infections.

Tons of trash from the city of Jakarta, as well as from Bekasi
are dumped and burned at the site every day.

As a result of the constant pressure from nearby residents,
the Jakarta administration -- which owns and runs the dumping
site -- agreed to meet the call by Bekasi legislators to close
down the site.

The Jakarta authorities plan to build a huge new garbage dump
west of the capital at Ciangir, Tangerang. The authorities also
said they would allocate some Rp 10 billion from the city budget
to compensate the Bantar Gebang area for environmental damage
caused by the dump.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso met on Tuesday with the scavengers,
who begged him to disregard the request from the Bekasi
councilors to close the dump.

Sutiyoso did not retract the city's plan, but he did say that
he could understand the grievances of the scavengers.

"It's a complicated matter. It would be difficult to give them
jobs should we have to quickly close the dump.

"Our priority (at the moment) is to restore the environmental
damages here," the governor said.

Moeloek said he appreciated the growing awareness on the part
of local residents about the importance of a healthy environment.

"Pollution is not good ... and prevention is much better than
a cure. But we also have to consider those who earn between Rp
5,000 (US 65 cents) and Rp 10,000 per day from the garbage dump,"
the minister said, referring to the estimated 15,000 scavengers
who pick through the Bantar Gebang trash.

"The government should therefore consider providing
alternative economic sources for them," he said. (04)