Residents complain of smoke

BOGOR: Residents of Cibinong subdistrict, Bogor regency, are upset about the smoke coming from the garbage being burned at the Pondok Rajek dump, fearing that it will have a negative impact on their health.

The worst affected areas include Pondok Rajek, Pondok Terong, Kampung Pisang and Kampung Sirap.

"The smoke comes from the burning of garbage at the (Pondok Rajek) dump. Adults cannot stand the smoke, so can you imagine how it affects the children," said Wawan, 46, a resident of Pondok Rajek, on Friday.

"The government should review its handling of garbage at the dump. They shouldn't burn it," he said.

The head of the Pondok Rajek dump, Iwan Juanda, said that in response to the residents' complaints he had mobilized five fire trucks to put out the garbage fires.

"The smoke has already been reduced," he said.

He said the government did not have the money to do deal with the garbage so it had to burn it, which is the cheapest method of disposing of the trash. --JP