Jakarta Post, 7 Oct 13;
Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri asked Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to create a green city, like founding president Sukarno once dreamed of.
During a field trip to the Pluit Dam in Muara Baru, North Jakarta, on Saturday, Megawati told Jokowi how her father envisioned the city.
"At that time, most Jakartans were facing economic hardships, but they were able to take care of the trees and plants," she said while passing Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) in Central Jakarta.
Megawati suggested Jokowi planted trees, which could provide habitat for wild birds. "Besides functioning as water catchment area, Banyan tree provide fruits for birds. It's leaves can also absorb carbon dioxide [CO2]," she said.
Megawati also called on Jakartans to plant trees in the yards of their homes and to cease from recklessly leaving trash in their local environments in support for Jokowi's regreening program.
