Jakarta Rushes Ciliwung River Normalization, Land Acquisition Without Intermediaries

Jakarta is intensifying efforts to normalize the Ciliwung River, a critical project aimed at mitigating the city's persistent flooding issues. Governor Pramono Anung announced that the normalization segment in Cawang, covering Rawajati, Pangadegan, Cawang, and Cililitan, is slated for completion by 2027, coinciding with Jakarta's 500th anniversary. The project is currently focused on land acquisition, which is being conducted directly with residents, bypassing any intermediaries. In the Cawang sub-district alone, two neighborhood units (RTs) are affected by the land acquisition process. "Alhamdulillah, 62 buildings have been completed," Pramono stated during a site visit, indicating significant progress. The remaining 108 land parcels are targeted for acquisition by the end of 2026. Pramono confirmed that the location determination (penlok) has been signed, allowing the continuation of the normalization program that had been stalled for a long time. The goal is to enhance the Ciliwung River's capacity to handle high rainfall volumes, thereby preventing future floods caused by river overflow. The normalization of Kali Krukut and Cakung Lama are also part of this medium-to-long-term plan, with an expected completion for all related projects by 2029. To ensure transparency and direct engagement, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Water Resources Agency (Dinas SDA), is collaborating with the National Land Agency (BPN). A complaint post has been established in the affected areas to assist residents with any administrative needs during the compensation process. "So that residents who perhaps have incomplete administration, if previously there was an intermediary helping them, now they will come directly to this post and will be fully assisted by BPN or the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through Water Resources," explained Pramono. The Water Resources Agency has allocated a budget of Rp300 billion for the land acquisition process for the normalization projects along the Ciliwung, Krukut, and Cakung Lama rivers. Location determination has already been issued for four sub-districts, paving the way for continued progress.