This is very nearly the literal definition of “sweeping it under the rug”, and it certainly paints Jakarta’s preparations for next month’s 2018 Asian Games in a murkier light.
The main government-provided accommodations for competitors participating in the upcoming Asian Games, Wisma Atlet in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, is situated right by the Sentiong Canal. That canal is so filthy, and its water so dark from the household waste from nearby neighborhoods, that locals have given it the alternative name “Kali Item” (“Black Canal”).
Such a sight, and the accompanying foul odor, is probably enough to give many of Asia’s best athletes sleepless nights. So how did the Jakarta Provincial Government decide to suddenly tackle the problem with time running out before the games start on August 18?
Well, by hiding it, of course.
This week, the provincial government covered a 689-meter stretch of Kali Item that’s adjacent to Wisma Atlet with black nylon mesh, which officials admit is primarily for aesthetic reasons.
“The function is to elevate the beauty [in the area] so that canal with the black water can’t be seen directly by international athletes,” Jakarta Water Resources Department Head Supriyoni told Kompas yesterday, adding that they will also put decorative flowers and lights in the area.
Supriyoni also said that the mesh was designed to keep the foul odor from the canal from spreading. But, obviously, such porous material won’t be able to keep all odor particles in. So the government says it is also using other methods to eliminate the bad smell, including “nano bubble” technology from Singapore as well as a water waste filter machine they said they were going to use on the canal a couple of months ago, although that plan seems to have fallen through or been ineffective.
Vice Governor Sandiaga Uno told Kompas that the decision to put up the mesh was made by himself and Governor Anies Baswedan after they received requests to fix the Kali Item problem by the Asian Games’ organizers.
“We didn’t want to take risks. Inasgoc (Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee) and Inapgoc (Indonesian Asian Para Games Organizing Committee) sent us a letter, so the governor and I took this initiative to reduce the risks,” Sandiaga told reporters at City Hall yesterday, as quoted by Kompas.
The mesh and odor elimination technology might well be the only solutions possible so close to the start of the competition. But many people, particularly netizens, are criticizing the provincial government for not making a more concerted effort to clean up Kali Item months ahead of time, especially given its vital location.
If you can't solve it, just cover the mess hoping no one will see it. https://t.co/d05fgd90a6
— Ino Winantea (@inowinantea) July 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/yusuf_dumdum/status/1019923315262029829
Hello pak @aniesbaswedan and @sandiuno, if there’s a dirty and smelly canal then you clean it, don’t just cover it up with black mesh. You seem to love hiding things that are foul.
You don’t hoard trash, do you?
Kali item kalo ditutup waring apa nggak bakal jadi sarang jentik-jentik nyamuk dan binatang-binatang mengancam kesehatan lain? Ulet misalnya? Trus apa baunya bener nggaj tembus? Khawatir ajah
— Mochamad Mustafa (@mustafa_sy) July 20, 2018
If Kali Item is covered up with mesh won’t the canal be a breeding ground for mosquito larvae and other animals bad for our health? Caterpillars maybe? And wouldn’t the smell just seep through? I’m worried.
Jakarta has a serious problem with pollution in its waterways. But, as the previous administration proved, it is possible to clean them with hard work and dedication.
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