River banks cleared for sport, recreation

JAKARTA (JP): City authorities demolished 33 shacks along Ciliwung riverbanks between Jl. Perwira and Istiqlal Mosque on Saturday as part of the Central Jakarta mayoralty's plan to build sports and recreation sites.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said that the mayoralty would hold a rowboat parade along the Ciliwung river to commemorate Youth Pledge Day on Oct. 28.

Kahfi acknowledged that the dozens of families who live in shanties along the river banks and under the nearby bridges taints the city's beauty. "The authorities, therefore, will not hesitate to continue demolishing the illegal shacks to keep the river clean," he said.

Saturday's clean-up activities involved the participation of over 2,000 military personnel, city officers and residents.

City Military chief Maj. Gen. Wiranto, who visited the clean- up site, said that the military's involvement in the program constitutes one of the Armed Forces's activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

The Armed Forces chief ordered recently that all activities held in conjunction with the commemoration of the Armed Forces anniversary should involve the public and be useful to the people, Wiranto said.

A golden anniversary ceremony will be held on Oct. 5 at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in East Jakarta, to be highlighted with an aircraft formation demonstration.

After inspecting the Ciliwung river by rowboat, Wiranto said that many people have violated city regulations on public order by constructing huts illegally along the river banks.

He said that military officials are ready to help city authorities clean up the river banks any time.

Abdul Kahfi disclosed that he had an obsession to make Central Jakarta clean by giving priority to the cleanliness of rivers.

City administration has launched a special program, called Prokasih, to maintain cleanliness along rivers. (29)