Joko's Administration 'Unfortunate' to Have Inherited N. Jakarta Reclamation Project
Jakarta. Golkar Party lawmaker Firman Subagyo said he understands the measures taken by President Joko Widodo in seeking the middle ground in the dispute surrounding the North Jakarta reclamation project.
Firman said that while investment and development are the two main issues, the dispute also highlights weaknesses in the government structures due to the actions of rogue officials.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Joko's administration was ''unfortunate'' to have inherited the program initiated by the previous government, which was not prepared well.
"It is better not to promote excess, as it can be dangerous. If it is promoted, then there will be no use to create any regulations. This should be a lesson for the government, businessmen and law enforcement," Firman said on Friday (29/04).
Several of the problems that have occurred in the ongoing project also surfaced during the era of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – such as the Hambalang Sports Complex and the Merauke Integrated Food & Energy Estate.
Firman said proposals for the Giant Sea Wall and land reclamation projects, collectively known as the Garuda Project, were rejected in 2003 after a study by the environment ministry.
He said at the time the study, which was presented to House Commission IV, showed that private developers were pushing the government to embark on the ambitious project.
The lawmaker added that the government should not continue with the project if it is not environmentally friendly.
"If I were the president, I would get developers to take the responsibility. But I will still be upholding the law," Firman said. "I am concerned for the current government, as all of these [projects] were initiated by the previous government.
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