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