Jakarta Scraps River Normalization Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said the elimination of the river normalization project noted in the draft of the 2017-2022 Jakarta mid-term development plan (RPJMD) was determined for the interests of the community.

Riza said that the draft revision of the RPJMD proposed by the city administration was based on input from various groups. “We do our best for the benefit and good of the people of Jakarta,” he said at City Hall on Tuesday night, February 9.

According to him, the draft was still being deliberated along with the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD).

The city administration was striving to anticipate flooding by preparing various programs and has so far practiced good flood handling recently, Riza informed.

“This is thanks to the programs we are promoting, including maximizing the dredging of mud, drainage, infiltration wells, mobile pumps, underpass stationary pumps, polders, and other efforts that are also supported by the community discipline,” he said.

However, the city’s decision to scrap the river normalization project was met with criticism from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) faction. The PSI faction Deputy Chairman, Justin Adrian Untayana, said the elimination of the flood mitigation program initiated in the era of former Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok would be detrimental to the community.

Also Read: Jakarta to Clear 118 Plots of Land for River Normalization

ADAM PRIREZA