Sutiyoso threatens Bekasi over dump

Sutiyoso threatens Bekasi over dump

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso told the Bekasi municipality
administration on Monday that he would not allow Bekasi to dump
its garbage at the Bantar Gebang dump if it tried to prevent
Jakarta from also using the dump.

"The dump belongs to us. So I won't allow Bekasi to dump its
garbage there if they insist on stopping Jakarta from using the
area as a garbage dump," Sutiyoso said.

The Jakarta administration has been in a protracted tug-of-war
with Bekasi municipality over the use of Bantar Gebang, following
protests from local residents over pollution from the garbage.

The tension eased late last year after Jakarta gave Bekasi Rp
14 billion (US$1.5 million) in compensation.

Jakarta dumps more than 23,400 cubic meters of garbage a day
at Bantar Gebang. --JP