Jakarta keeps dumping amid Bekasi dispute

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso insisted that his administration would continue to dump its 6,000 tons of daily garbage at the Bantar Gebang dump although the Bekasi Legislative Council has repeatedly called on the Bekasi administration to close the site for the damage it has caused to the environment.

"The dispute between Bekasi councillors and the administration is an internal issue. I have repeatedly said that we only deal with the administration not with the councillors," he said on Friday.

"We will stick with the deal signed by the Jakarta and Bekasi administrations on the dump."

Sutiyoso was referring to the memorandum of understanding signed by himself and Bekasi Mayor Akhmad Zurfaih on Dec. 22 last year, to renew the contract which expired on Dec. 31.

Bekasi Council chairman Ismail Ibrahim had earlier urged the Bekasi administration not to allow Jakarta to continue to use the dump following allegations that the Jakarta administration had reneged on its obligations as required in the old contract.

According to the contract, the Jakarta administration was obliged to take measures to ensure the dump was eco-friendly.

"They must also construct pipelines from artesian wells to provide clean water for residents in Ciketing Udik, Cikiwul and Sumur Batu subdistricts," Ismail said.

The three subdistricts are located close to the dump and the groundwater in the area has been contaminated by liquid waste seepage from the site.

Ismail's statement followed the Council's special committee recommendation. The committee had conducted a study on the 17- year operation of the dump and recommended that the council close the dump due to the serious environmental damage in the surrounding area.