VP wants 'awards' for dirty cities

VP wants 'awards' for dirty cities

JAKARTA: Apparently annoyed with the poor environments of most
cities, including Jakarta, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has
suggested that the dirtiest cities be given "awards".

Speaking before environmentalists on Thursday, Kalla urged
State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar to award
cities with the filthiest environments.

The award would be aimed at humiliating governors, regents and
mayors for their poor performance in controlling pollution in
their areas, he said.

"Awards should not only be given to the cleanest cities in
terms of environment, but also to the dirties ones. We should
hold them up to ridicule and make them realize their wrongdoing,"
Kalla added.

He raised the proposal at a ceremony marking the start of
Indonesian Environment Week, attended by representatives of some
100 companies and many officials from regional administrations.
-- JP