The Jakarta Globe: Fauzi Reserves His Traffic Apologies for Foreign Officials
Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo finally apologized for Monday evening’s monstrous traffic gridlock — but to a visiting foreign delegation instead of his constituents.
“I’m sorry for the traffic you have to go through while you’re here,” he told delegates from the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Thursday, during a governors’ and mayors’ convention.
“It’s because of the increased population and [low public] welfare.”
The governor was widely criticized for attempting to deflect blame over severe traffic congestion on Monday, which was caused by heavy rains and flooding.
Memahami banjir Jakarta
“Semakin hari Jakarta akan semakin minim resapan airnya, karena semakin hari semakin banyak pembangunan di Jakarta. Gedung, mall, pemukiman, bahkan jalan-jalan di kampung yang diubah menjadi beton akan mengurangi resapan air. Daerah rawa seperti Kelapa Gading yang tadinya berfungsi sebagai daerah resapan air diubah menjadi pemukiman beton. Karena itu tidak heran banjir di Jakarta makin tahun akan makin parah, karena resapan air makin tahun makin berkurang, dampak negatif dari pembangunan. Memahami hal ini adalah sangat penting sebelum menyusun solusi untuk mengatasi banjir.” -@benhan
Our little cafe in the corner has now become a mall. We kind of miss the old little cafe, so here's something we put together to make it feel a bit more like home.
