Ciputras Empty Promise

The Pantai Indah Kapuk housing project was launched with a personal assurance that it would not upset the environment. Ciputra, the pioneer and owner of the project also promised to provide land in exchange for the land in the project area and to develop forests in the project. Almost 20 years have passed but the pledge has not been fulfilled. In fact, the environment-friendly housing scheme has been charged with being responsible for the recent floods and environmental damage. The Pantai Indah Kapuk project stands out as an example of how money, ambition and power combined to form a formidable team during the New Order regime.