Ahok: Do Not Use JEDI Project as Pretext for Ancol Reclamation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or popularly known as Ahok, said it was inaccurate to use the dredging program of five reservoirs and 13 rivers as a reason for the planned Ancol reclamation project.

The disposal of matters from dredged rivers and reservoirs in Jakarta was included in the Jakarta Emergency Dredging Initiative (JEDI) program, which was established in 2009, as required by the World Bank, he explained.

“Regarding the JEDI program, the World Bank required the disposal site. So it was not because they wanted to dispose of the mud from dredging and allowed the reclamation island project,” said Ahok in a short message to Tempo on Friday, July 10, 2020.

The chief commissioner of state-run oil and gas firm Pertamina added the city government could not expand the Ancol area without referring to the Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2014 on spatial plans.

However, Jakarta Regional Secretary Saefullah said that based on reports from the JEDI program and the Jakarta Urgent Flood Mitigation Project (JUFMP), the mud from the dredging reached 3,441,870 cubic meters. The mud then hardened and became 20 hectares of land.

“The new area that is formed is still attached to the mainland of Jakarta needs to be managed while prioritizing public interests,” Saefullah said.

Therefore, on February 24, 2020 Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan issued the Gubernatorial Decree No. 237 of 2020 concerning the expansion of the Ancol area: 35 hectares for the Dufan area and 120 hectares for the East Ancol Dream Park. 

Read: Anies on Losing Appeal on Reclamation Permit: We Won't Retreat

IMAM HAMDI