TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following an inspection of Jakarta’s flood pump stations, a member of the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD Jakarta) William Aditya Sarana announced that they found a pump had been badly managed during the city’s new year’s day flash floods.

The flood pump in question is located at Rawa Buaya in West Jakarta. “It was prematurely activated. The operations of the Cengkareng flood gate was also done improperly,” said William to Tempo on Monday evening, January 13.

The inspection with members of DPRD’s Commission A members was enacted to evaluate the flood-handling management, in this case at West Jakarta.

Other locations visited by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) member together with other legislators were; Klinkit water pumps, the Cengkareng drain, up to the upper-class area of Pantai Indah Kapuk.

Meanwhile, Commission A Speaker, Mujiyono, stated that there are alleged unfair treatments in managing the floods in Jakarta. His main issue was how the flood gate was operated that eventually caused floodwater to rise exponentially in West Jakarta’s densely populated areas.

“Open [the flood gate] when it’s already time to do so. Don’t always let other areas get drowned. Open it up a bit so [Pantai Indah Kapuk] can feel the floods a little,” said Mujiyono.

The Daan Mogot street in West Jakarta was one of the areas heavily affected by the new year’s day flash floods, this area is within the prime distance of the Cengkareng Drain and felt the outcome of how the flood gate was managed.

The Jakarta Metro Police had previously summoned the Head of West Jakarta’s Water Resources Office, Purwanti Suryandari for questioning following the devastating effects of the flash floods.

M YUSUF MANURUNG