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)