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