Coastal Jakarta Where Politics Meet Environments
9:30 AM
They said that environmental policy always depends on the politic situation in that country. Maybe, the same case also happened in coastal Jakarta. As we all know, our minister in marine affair coordinator was replaced in the newest reshuffle. It changed from Rizal Ramli to Luhut Binsar Panjaitan (before was the minister of justice and human rights). Under the hands of Luhut reclamation of coastal Jakarta will be started again.
 |
| NCICD Jakarta Great Sea Wall (source: google image) |
What is Reclamation in Coastal Jakarta?
This project was first introduced in Soeharto's era who was the second president of Indonesia. The first regulation called Kepres no. 52/ 1995 about reclamation was signed by the president, Soeharto at that time. This project started when Jakarta was given permission by the central government to develop northern coastal Jakarta. So, this is where all of this fuss started.
This project aims to give solution for Jakarta government for its need for land (Mitchell, Bruce et al. 2010). The rise of the population made the city government come up with reclamation as its scapegoat. In addition, government at that time hoped that it could help Jakarta from abrasion issues and prevent mangrove ecosystem pollution. As the city which has the land under the sea height, of course, the government tried as hard as possible to prevent Jakarta from sinking. At first, this project was planned in 3 sectors, Pluit, Kapuk Muara, and Marunda with coastal area of 2700 ha, and 32 km in distance.
However, since his fall out this project never be continued by the next government (Sarifah 1997). Later, in 2003, Ministry of Environment sued this mega project. They wanted this project to be stopped. The developer then prosecutes the institution back. In 2011, attorney general granted developer indictment. In 2012 this project began to walk through again. Even in 2014-2015, City Governor, Basuki Tjahja Purnama was giving permission for 4 developers to start their construction. Those were F island (PT Jakarta Propertindo with SK Gubernur Nomor 2268/ 2015), I island (PT Jaladri Pakci with SK Gubernur Nomor 2269/ 2015), K island (PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol with SK Gubernur Nomor 2485/ 2015), and G island (PT Muara Wisesa Samudra with SK Gubernur Nomor 2238/ 2014).
There are several developer who join this project like PT Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK) Marunda, PT Pelindo II, PT Manggala Krida Yudha, PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, PT Kapuk Naga Indah (anak perusahaan Agung Sedayu), PT Jaladri Eka Pakci, PT Taman Harapan Indah, PT Muara Wisesa Samudera (anak perusahaan Agung Podomoro), and PT Jakarta Propertindo. The island consist of A until Q islands. But only some company that already begin their construction. Some of them are PT Kapuk Naga Indah (C and D islands), and PT Muara Wisesa Samudra (G islands).
This project was also known as a part of Jakarta Great Sea Wall project.
 |
| A island until Q (Source: google image) |
Why people make a fuss about that?
Well, there are a lot of reason for this. But, I think what really makes people pay attention to this mega project is because of the corruption between government and the companies.
Earlier this year, coastal Jakarta reclamation started to interest many stakeholders. The reason was because the corruption cases that involved Leader of D commission in Jakarta Legislative Council and some company that was given authority to develop the reclamation island. After that, every single mass media write about this. Many scientists were being asked to explain the impact of this project. After a lot of arguments, finally, the government decided to pending the project while waiting for all the impact assessment finished by the developer.
Off course, assessments need to be made before the project start, but it seems many violations of the rule that were made by the developer. They didn't really count for sediment load because of the construction. There are some of the projects construction that didn't meet the requirement that had been given in the assessment. And what really concern many people are the sustainability of mangrove ecosystem behind that project, especially behind C and D islands.
With all of this judgment, Rizal Ramli (Marine Affairs coordinator minister) asked to pending all of the construction. He asked other ministers below his authorization --Ministry of environment and forestry, and Ministry of marine affairs and fisheries-- to take control, to observed the developer so that they can meet the environment eligibility. The developer (C, D, and G Islands) should carry out all of the deadlines that were given by MoEF to improve project execution.
To be honest, some of local NGO, that named their movement as "Koalisi Selamatkan Teluk Jakarta" (coalition to save Jakarta's Coastal), already sued Jakarta government for this case. They already sued for 4 islands, those are F, I, K, and G Islands. The judgment for G Island was already made by the government administrator court. The result said G island can't be constructed. But, developer appealed to the judge. Because of this, the judge decided that G island couldn't be constructed until the case meets the final decision.
What about now?
Like what I said before, after the reshuffle, Rizal Ramli was swapped with Luhut Binsar Panjaitan whom before was the minister of justice and human rights. Luhut is a politician and also a businessman. Of course, like other politicians, there are several issues around him, but we will talk about it later.
This Thursday, netizen was being surprised by Luhut announcement that he will give permission for G island to continue. He said that there were nothing wrong with the project. Several modifications can be made to overcome the underground electricity problems.
This comment annoyed many people, especially environment activist and justice collaborator organization. Tigor Hutapea as an attorney of fisherman in G Island cases express his disappointed feeling towards Luhut. He said that what Luhut did, showed people that he is in developer side. Until G island completed all of the assessment that was asked by MoEF, G Island construction can't be held. In court, G island 'legality' status also was being processed as long as the final decision hasn't been made, all of the stakeholders that participate in G island development should stop their construction.
Politics, Research, Law, and Decision
We couldn't agree more that politics is one aspect that really influence environment policy regulation. City Governor of Bogor once said that in development countries, sustainable nature resources management still economic oriented. As long as it doesn't produce profit then the regulator will think twice to execute it.
I can't say, what is the main goal of Luhut decision. After all, he once a justice and human rights minister, of course, he will know that when a decision still not inckrhat then we can't continue the project. But, we must know that every decision that has been made wasn't developed from an empty condition. There will be a lot of discussions, negotiations, and bargains to make the policy about nature resources (Bryant 1992).
Even with all of the research that has been provided by all of the researchers about this project, the central government still tenacious about this mega project. Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries once has given the results of their research about impact assessment about this project in the policy paper. This paper predicts that this project will change the current circulation and water circulation this will lead to sediments load and water pollution. For all of the assessment will be written in the next post.
Although, research was held, and the results of reclamation were negative there are no guarantee that this project will be terminated. This shows that environment policy is really complex. The decision can't be made just based on scientific matters only. A lot of things that interact in making the final decision. And this decision will lead to another environment issue in the future. Environment management always full of uncertainty. Not only in the decision-making level but also in results after the policy is being regulated. In Jakarta's coastal case, government, especially related minister should consider reviewing this project through fully before comes to a decision. I can't say we can terminate this project yet because of the investment, but I can't agree with the continuation of this project either.
Well, first let's wait until all of the assessment that has been asked by MoEF made by them and waits until final court decision.
0 comments