"Fishermen celebrate the decision of the government and the House of Representatives which stopped the Jakarta Bay reclamation project temporarily through sails," Chairman of the Indonesian Traditional Fishermens Union (KNTI) Riza Damanik said in a written statement received here Saturday.
The reclamation project has cut fishing area and damaged the environment around Jakarta Bay, Damanik remarked.
As a result, the project eliminated the livelihood of fishermen and disrupted marine ecosystems.
Fishermen of Jakarta Bay will celebrate the recommendation by conducting theatrical action in the port of Muara Angke on Sunday (April 17).
Earlier, Maritime Affairs and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti called on the Jakarta administration to halt the Jakarta Bay reclamation project until developers meet all necessary norms.
The reclamation was being carried out without any recommendation or observing coastal area zoning regional regulations," the minister told the press here Friday.
A reclamation project needs a recommendation from the Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry.
Her ministry, the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry and the Jakarta Administration will hold a meeting to discuss the controversial project, she said.
In addition, Jakarta senator Fahira Idris remarked that Jakarta residents have not received comprehensive information on the project to reclaim 17 islands for developing business centers and settlements.
Most of the information reaching the public only revealed that the reclamation was necessary and a noble deed to solve Jakartas problems of land shortage, flooding, and coastal damage, she stated.
In fact, the project was more business-oriented than in tune with the publics interests, Fahira believed.
Therefore, the Jakarta senator urged residents to reject the reclamation project.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok earlier said President Joko Widodo has no objections to any reclamation project as long as it does not damage the environment.
"I think, in principle, the President, who himself has been a governor, sees nothing wrong with reclamation. All over the world, reclamation happens. The President says that the important thing is that it should not damage the environment," Ahok said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
