TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta governor candidate Anies Baswedan visited a flooded location at Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta and held a discussion with local residents.

"I came here to feel what it's like to live in a flooded area, and we just went in there. If we don't see it directly, we can't understand it," Anies said on Monday, February 20, 2017.

According to Anies, the flood was caused by ineffective mitigation plan.

"Absorption is important. If the plan is not going well, the normalization plan won't be effective. As a result, the program does not succeed, like now," Anies explained.

Anies also criticized the flood mitigation program crafted by the Jakarta administration. Anies viewed that the program was unsuccessful since Jakarta is still not free from floods.

"This must be immediately addressed. The existing program must be well-executed," Anies added.

According to Anies, neither the Jakarta Governor nor the Deputy Governor has visited Cipinang Melayu. Anies viewed that the government failed to pay attention to two rivers, Cikeas River and Sunter River, which their flows meet in the area.

"The two [rivers] have not been seriously attended. This is the first time the residents were given an attention," Anies said.

A flood occurred at Cipinang Melayu on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Hundreds of residents were evacuated to the Borobudur University's Mosque located in a flood-free area. The government has distributed aids to the victims.

CHITRA PARAMAESTI