REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed concern about Jakarta sinking from year to year that could put the capital city below the sea level by 2030.

"The data I received show that Jakarta sinks at an alarming rate 7.5 - 12 centimeters every year," the president said when opening a limited meeting on National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) at the presidential office here on Wednesday.

Jokowi said the sinkage was caused by the waters of a number of rivers in the city could not flow and empty into the Jakarta Bay.

"Therefore, control of river and the environment in Jakarta has to be carried out in integrated system from upstream to downstream," he said.

As a capital city , Jakarta should have a sustainable system to preserve the environment both in the provision of clean water and healthy drinking water and treatment of liquid waste, and for revitalization of river and flood control, he said.

He said development of coastal areas is the answer to long problem faced by the city in its coastal areas.

Meanwhile, the government suspended big reclamation projects in the Jakarta Bay over corruption case.

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