REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CENTRAL LAMPUNG -- National Democratic Party (Nasdem) Chairman Surya Paloh has encouraged Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, to bravely face corruption allegations.
"If Ahok is guilty, he must admit it, but if not, he should dare to challenge the allegations of his involvement in the purchase of land for the Sumber Waras hospital and the bribery case of the reclamation project in Jakarta," Paloh remarked in Central Lampung on Sunday.
He suggested that the Jakarta governor, to be supported by Nasdem in the 2017 gubernatorial election, should respond to the corruption accusations in line with the legal procedures.
"Let him (Ahok) face the accusations in accordance with the legal procedures. I too have been accused of corruption, but I dared to face it," Paloh stated.
Earlier, on Thursday, Ahok had stated in Jakarta that permits for 17 reclamation projects in Jakarta Bay could be extended every year.
"Reclamation permits have no expiry date and can be extended every year. If the reclamation projects cannot be completed within a year, the permits can be extended," Ahok remarked.
However, if developers cannot fulfill the requirements, the permits can be cancelled, he noted.
"Although the reclamation permits have no expiry date and can be extended every year, if the developers do not meet the requirements, the permits can be revoked," he affirmed.
He said the 17 reclamation projects in Jakarta Bay can be continued despite the fact that the Jakarta Legislative Council had refused to continue deliberation on the draft bylaw regarding the site map of coastal areas and islets in Jakarta Province.
After all, the developers cannot construct buildings on reclaimed islands, pending the passage of the draft bylaw.
"To construct buildings on the reclaimed islands, they have to await the passage of the draft bylaw. If they have not been passed, the developers are not allowed to construct buildings on the reclaimed islands," he pointed out.
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