TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration discovered that some 300 buildings in Kemang, South Jakarta, have violated their permits and regulation on Krukut River demarcation line, resulting in floods during heavy rains.

Dedih Suhanda, head of Bangka sub-district in South Jakarta, said that any commercial buildings, such as hotels, violated the regulation by cementing riverbanks to be used as parking lots.

"Walls separating parking lots and the river must be demolished," Dedih told Tempo on Monday, September 5, 2016.

The regulation clearly states that no buildings shall be erected within 20 meters of the riverbank.

"We will notify building owners before the demolitions," Dedih added.

Dedih revealed that shopping malls and apartments in Kemang breached the river demarcation line. The superblock developed by Lippo Group is using the Krukut riverbank near Jalan Antasari as roads for vehicles to enter and exit the area. The company also built a 5-meters high wall on the riverbank.

The Jakarta Water Management Agency will also send a warning letter to Kemang Village for redirecting Krukut River's water flow. Annisah, a resident of North Cipete, South Jakarta, said that dozens of houses have been demolished by developer company to redirect the Krukut river flow. Jakarta Water Management Agency head Teguh Hendarwan said that the practice violated regulations and disturbed the ecosystem.

Lippo spokesperson Danang Kemayan Jati argued that Kemang Village did not cause floods. Danang added that Lippo had built a 1.8-hectare water reservoir under the shopping mall to contain the overflow of Krukut River up to 100,000 cubic meters.

Indonesia Water Institute director Firdaus Ali said rivers should not be subjects of engineering since the dynamics of the water flow could be disturbed.

"River engineering should be aimed at restoring a river condition to its original state, not to facilitate commercial purposes," Firdaus explained.

INDRI MAULIDAR