Mega mulls rerouting Aceh road

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering a new route for the controversial Ladia-Galaska road in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province, amid demand for a halt to the project.

State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said the President underlined the importance of building a road that could connect isolated areas along the western coast of the province, Meulaboh and Banda Aceh.

"The President is considering a road project that will not run through the Leuser conservation area. The construction will be more efficient and less costly," Nabiel said after a meeting with the President.

He said the President would take a decision as soon as possible, pending a report from a government team currently at the project site. --JP