Residents Blame AEON Mall for Flood

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People residing near Jakarta Garden City (JGC) in Cakung, East Jakarta, vandalized AEON Mall, which is located within the luxurious residential complex on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. They blamed the mall and the housing complex as the cause of the flooding in their neighborhood.

Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Yusri, said that some 200 residents gathered at JGC at 9:30 am. "They are annoyed by the [property] managers who cannot be met for discussion," said Yusri in a written statement on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

At the same time, he added, 100 officers of the East Jakarta Resort Police, Cakung Resort Police, and Mobile Brigade arrived to secure the location. The angry mob destroyed signs, fences, and parking garage located behind the shopping mall. The mob also break one of the restaurants' windows.

According to Yusri, people blamed that flooding in their residences was caused by the overflow of water from the dam and irrigation channel. At 11:00 am representatives of JGC management Arif and Fitrah, invited a representative of the local residents for a discussion. The mob, however, insisted that JGC management is responsible for the dam.

"They asked about AMDAL [environmental impact analysis] of the housing complex," Yusri said.

Cakung Police Chief Comr. Pandji Santoso further stated that both parties managed to reach a settlement and people who flocked the area started to disperse. However, Yusri said that some police officers reamin stationed on location.

ADAM PRIREZA