Surjadi wants 'greener' officials

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja expressed concern yesterday over the numerous officials who are easily bribed to recommend the development of green belt areas into commercial projects.

Speaking at the opening of the 17th Jakarta Environmental Communication Forum at the Cempaka Hotel in East Jakarta, Surjadi said the city had embarked on a wide range of environmental schemes, including the Blue Sky program, the Clean River program and the one million tree movement.

However he admitted that many of them were not running as well as expected.

These initiatives would be useless if the officials act inconsistently in upholding environmental regulations, he said.

The governor urged city officials to give greater priority to the improvement of the environment than to the money offered by businessmen.

Surjadi said that the officials' indifference also hindered the city's efforts to save the environment.

"Once I asked a subdistrict head why there are illegal buildings along the river banks. He just said he did nothing to prevent it because there was no official order from his superiors," Surjadi said.

The governor also highlighted the fact that he was always criticized, whatever decision he makes regarding the environment.

"I've often been asked by big contractors to give permits for them to develop commercial projects. But I turn their proposals down because they are against the city spatial plans.

"Then they accuse me of obscuring development," he said.

He urged all Jakartans to actively participate in the environment programs by persuading their families to adopt a greener lifestyle.

The forum is held annually to monitor the latest developments in the five mayoralties' environmental activities.

This year, for example, Central Jakarta is focusing on air cleanliness, North Jakarta on groundwater, South Jakarta on salt water intrusion, East Jakarta on garbage and West Jakarta on housing.

The forum is also discussing issues on air pollution caused by gas emissions from vehicles and industrial plants. (07)