Sandiaga Uno to Normalize Ciliwung River just as Ahok Did

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno plans to execute the land located along the Ciluwung riverbanks, mimicking what former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) did in the past.

However, it will only be executed after an appraisal is issued to determine the values of land spaces owned by residents at the Ciliwung riverbank.

Sandiaga Uno explained that the government will back the land acquisitions. “We have a good system, [it will be] funded. Jakarta administration must spend and invest in that area,” he said at Jakarta’s City Hall on Thursday, February 8.

Read: Ciliwung Riverbank Must be Free of Building Structures Official

Upon facing rejections from local Ciliwung riverbank residents, Sandiaga Uno suggested that they take legal actions. He explained that what he plans to do is covered by Law No. 2/2012 on land acquisitions for public interest developments.

The normalization project that was previously done by the central government was supported by Governor Ahok. This was what caused land acquirement to be dragged on for a long period of time and was only finished in 2016.

Read: Done with Ahok Minister Susi Now Threatens Anies Baswedan

and: Sandiaga Uno Mentions Steps to Prevent Flood in Jakarta

Jakarta Administration head of water resources agency Teguh Hendrawan said that the Ciliwung River normalization program has yet to be completed. “It was only 60 percent complete up to December 2017,” he said.

Even though there was violent resistance from local residents, part of the evicted residents were moved into a rented apartment provided by the city administration. Meanwhile, a concrete embankment was built along the acquired land. 

Irsyan Hasyim