All eyes are on the new guy, freshly inaugurated Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, wondering how he will handle the impending reclamation of Bali’s Benoa Bay.
Suriadi Darmoko (Moko), Executive Director of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (WALHI) is questioning the new president’s commitment to conservation. In his presidential address, Jokowi said the sea is the future of Indonesian civilization. Based on this statement, Moko is asking Jokowi to think seriously about the fate of Benoa Bay and what it will mean for the rest of the archipelago nation.
Moko fears a dangerous precedent will be set iff reclamation of Benoa Bay goes through. Other regions could start proposing changes in “protection areas” for the sake of investment flows (which is essentially what Benoa Bay’s reclamation is).
Jokowi better dismiss Presidential Decree 51/2014, the decree that allows PT Tirta Wahana Bali Internasional (TWBI) to reclaim an area of 700 hectares, says Moko. But dropping this presidential decree that was issued by previous president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, would only be a start. Benoa Bay’s status should also be restored as a conservation area, according to Moko.
But apparently Jokowi’s had his hands full lately with pretty flight attendants.
“I have not seen any serious response from Jokowi,” Moko told Liputan6.
Photo: Twitter
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