The Indonesian developers of a massive US$3 billion tourism project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump are embroiled in a quarrel with environmental authorities.
The World Lido City project, covering over 3,000 hectares 60km south of Jakarta, is a collaboration between Trump’s business partner, Indonesian billionaire Hary Tanoesoedibjo and the Trump Organisation.
The Trump Organisation has signed to manage hotels, golf courses and country clubs built by Tanoesoedibjo’s Chinese government-backed MNC Land company in the integrated resort’s ‘Trump Community’.
But Indonesia’s Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq ordered a halt to the project this week after an inspection uncovered “land-clearing activities allegedly causing sedimentation and shallowing in the Lake Lido”.
Satellite images by the ministry showed that Lake Lido has more than halved in size since the construction began.
Further, MNC Land was accused of not following an environmental assessment document approved by the government for its development plans, the ministry said. “The mismatch between environmental plans and physical implementation has become a serious concern in our effort to preserve natural resources,” added Ardyanto Nugroho, director of environment supervision.
MNC Land said the sedimentation had occurred before the company took over the Lido area in 2013.
The ministry expects MNC Land to submit a new environmental assessment if it hopes to continue developing Lido.
On its website, MNC Land says, “MNC World is slated to open at SEZ (Special Economic Zone) MNC Lido City, a Pride of the Nation integrated township in Lido, Bogor, that is destined to become the largest lifestyle development in Indonesia.
“Surrounded by national parklands and the majestic mountains of Salak and Pangrango, this iconic, one-of-a-kind destination is easily accessible via direct toll road or train from Jakarta.”