Locals protest Blue Oasis City

BEKASI: The ongoing construction of Blue Oasis City complex in Karangkitri, Bekasi, has come up against protest from all sides.

Aji Ngumboro, member of Bekasi council Commission A for legal and administrative affairs, said the administration should stop the project that is being developed by PT Rekapastika.

"The most blatant mistake is that the municipality agreed to receive only 35 percent of the fees after the first five years. That is too small -- about Rp 100 million a year," he said.

The 7.6-hectare complex will consist of a shopping mall, two apartment buildings, a hotel and a water park. Investment in the mall alone has surpassed Rp 300 billion.

Meanwhile, Benny Tunggul of the Environment Community Union (ECU), added that the location is in Bekasi's green area.

A farmer in Karangkitri, Saudin, said that he and 20 other farmers had not received compensation for their land affected by the project, which commenced in 1994.

Company director Rosano Pitojo, however, argued that the Bekasi administration was responsible for land acquisition.

In their agreement, Bekasi would be granted ownership and management of Blue Oasis City in 2033.

Bekasi spokesman Endang Suharyadi told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the administration would provide facilities for investors intending to develop commercial areas and shopping malls. -- JP