Government Cancels G Island Reclamation Project

Jakarta (Antara Babel) - The government officially cancels the G island reclamation project in the Jakarta bay saying development of the project was a serious offense.

The reclamation project would endanger the environment ,  sea traffic  and vital projects, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources Rizal Ramli said here on Thursday.

"The Joint Committee of Ministers agree that the G island reclamation project is a serious offense," Rizal said at a meeting on the controversial project of reclamation of the northern beach of Jakarta.

Rizal  said the project is categorized as a serious offense as the state electricity company PT PLN has electrical cables to be buried under the island project.

"The island would also hamper fishing vessels. Before the island was made fishing boats could easily pass  and land in  Muara Angke. Now with the island fishing vessels have to make a detour costing them more fuel," he said.

He said based on analysis of the Joint Committee the island of G has been arbitrarily built as it would damage the environment and destroy the marine biota.

"Therefore, we decide to permanently cancel the G island reclamation project," he said.

It was also decided that the  C, D and  N island projects were moderate offense that the developers are required only to make some repair and dismantling .

The C and D islands , which already almost become one  are required to be set separate to form a canal of at least 100 meter wide  with a depth of at least 8 meters to allow vessels to pass by .

The N island , which is part of the Kalibaru port project of state-owned port operator Pelindo II was considered to be technical  offense against the environment.

"The developer agreed to  mend the damage  that  the project  is allowed to continue," Rizal said.

Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti  said all members of the joint committee have worked  on their respective skills that the decisions are considered the best  they could make.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has found irregularities  in the implementation  of  the Jakarta bay reclamation projects.

A number of government officials including members of the Jakarta city  council have been named suspects  and arrested on charge of graft.