Locals demand closure of Bantar Gebang dump

Locals demand closure of Bantar Gebang dump

JAKARTA (JP): At least 100 Bekasi residents and environmental
activists protested at City Hall on Wednesday to demand the
closure of the city owned garbage dump in Bantar Gebang
subdistrict in Bekasi.

Resident Erwin Tambunan said thick smoke from the dump
frequently blanketed areas of the township, including the Kota
Legenda, Kemang Pratama and Bumi Bekasi Baru housing complexes in
East Bekasi.

"We cannot see objects 50 meters away, especially at night,
because of the thick smoke," said the resident of Kota Legenda.

Erwin, who is also a reporter of Bisnis Indonesia daily, said
the residents would consider suing the city administration for
causing losses to them if it did not close the garbage dump soon.

"The city administration has caused thousands of Bekasi
residents to suffer from the smoke and diseases," he said.

Wearing masks, the residents unfurled posters and banners
condemning the city administration and demanding it be held
responsible for the environmental damage.

Fifteen representatives of the protesters met with the head of
the city's sanitary agency Saksono Soehodo. (jun)