No Ayer quarrying permits issued

No Ayer quarrying permits issued

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration says it has never issued
any permits allowing sand quarrying near Pulau Ayer, one of the
islets in the Thousand Islands chain in Jakarta Bay.

"As far as I know, my office has never given either
recommendations or permits to any company or authority to
undertake sand quarrying activities near the island," North
Jakarta Mayor Suprawito said yesterday.

He made the remarks in response to reports that sand quarrying
activities were taking place on the island. Several islands have
disappeared due to massive sand quarrying activities in the
island chain.

"I will check with my officials in the Thousand Islands to
make sure what has really happened there," he said, adding that
if the report turned out to be true, he would conduct a full
investigation and punish the guilty parties under existing laws.

Pulau Ayer is part of Panggang subdistrict in North Jakarta.
Situated near Marina Ancol, the 10-hectare island is one of the
most famous of Jakarta's island resorts, complete with
restaurants, cottages and sports facilities.

Suprawito reiterated that his office would never hesitate to
take stern action against illegal sand quarrying.

"We have sent warning notices to companies found quarrying
outside their permitted areas, and some which were quarrying
without permits.

Many companies have broken their agreements by straying from
the sand quarrying areas set by the city, he said.

Suprawito declined to name the companies, or say how many had
been warned. (07)