Thousands vow to stop of Bojong dump tryout

Thousands vow to stop of Bojong dump tryout

Thousands of residents living in the vicinity of Bojong dump in
Bogor and students from Bogor universities gathered on Sunday in
a mass prayer to object to the trial operation of the dump slated
for next Wednesday.

"We will form human blockade to prevent the dump trucks from
entering the location," a resident of Bojong village, Naih, said.

The dump, which is designated to handle Jakarta's waste, is
located in the neighborhood, prompting fears that its operation
will adversely affect the environment and the residents' health.

Dump operator PT Wira Guna Sejahtera and Bogor authorities had
said that the dump will use incinerators and a ball press which
were relatively environmentally friendly compared to the landfill
system at Jakarta's Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi.

However, during the first trial last year, the machines did
not work as they are designed for non-organic waste.

"They have tried, but the machines just don't work. We won't
let them hold any more trials because the authorities will use
that opportunity to reopen the dump," Naih added.

The authorities had attempted to hold another trial twice late
last year, but rowdy protests by locals forced them to
discontinue the plan.

Several police officers were placed under detention for
several weeks because they dispersed protesters violently, while
a number of residents were jailed for several months for
vandalism and inciting unrest.

According to Bogor spokesman Ahmad Sjahuri, Jakarta will send
between 100 tons and 300 tons garbage to the dump for the trial
on Wednesday.

"We expect the residents to let us do this so we can learn
whether there is any adverse impact of the dump on them," he
said, adding that the police will be on guard at the site. -- JP