TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta’s City Secretary Saefullah said that the Ciliwung River riverbank must be free from building structures to overcome the city’s flood issues in the long run.

“For the long-term, the Ciliwung riverbank must be completely free from houses and illegal building structures. That is a must which I think cannot be bargained,” said Saefullah at Jakarta’s city hall on Wednesday, February 7.

He argues that it’s currently too late to manage the Ciliwung riverbank, however, it is still possible to be done. “The Dutch created the West Flood Canal, ideally it should be like the East Flood Canal. It should ideally be like that, there should be a center flow, a riverbank, a sheet pile, and inspections. We are already too late in handling the Ciliwung River,” said Saefullah.

He also stated that he will continue to communicate his concern to residents that live along the Ciliwung riverbank and that they must be relocated. “The relocation won’t be too far from there. They would cooperate if they are continuously asked to do so,” said Saefullah.

Regarding illegal houses throughout the Ciliwung riverbank, Saefullah asserts that it must be relocated.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO