Cawang City Park Closed Off Again Amid Allegations of Illicit Same-Sex Activity

Cawang City Park, a public space in East Jakarta, is alleged to have become a location for illicit same-sex activity. The East Jakarta municipal government has consequently closed two access points to Cawang City Park.

Makasar District Camat (administrator) Dimas Prayudi stated that the enforcement operation was conducted jointly with the East Jakarta Sub-office of Parks and Urban Forestry (Tamhut), village authorities, and the three pillars of community security, including village security officers (Babinsa) and community police officers (Bhabinkamtibmas).

“Today we are working together with the Parks Sub-office, village officials, district officials, and the three pillars to attempt to reduce the impact of social security concerns at the park location in Kebon Pala Village. This is because there have been reports and community concerns regarding misuse of the park’s function at this location,” Dimas said when contacted on Friday, 27 February 2026.

According to him, the location is suspected of frequently being used for activities inconsistent with the park’s intended purpose. Consequently, the government has taken preventative steps to restore the optimal function of the green open space.

“Our message is that we hope the community, particularly in East Jakarta, will use the park in accordance with its intended function. What we are doing today is a preventative effort to reduce these problems, and it is our collective responsibility to protect this park,” he said.

Two Access Points Closed

As part of the enforcement operation, the municipal government permanently closed two gaps in park access by concrete sealing. Additionally, a fence that previously had holes on the side near the toll road was repaired through welding to prevent its use as an illegal entry route.

“There are two points that we are permanently closing today through concrete sealing, working with the Parks Sub-office. We are also welding the holes in the fence,” he said.

Surveillance Tightened

Surveillance will be intensified, including through joint operations at night involving the Civil Service Police (Satpol PP), the police force, and the military.

“We will conduct an operation tonight with the Satpol PP and three pillars along with the police subdistrict and military subdistrict command, starting at 21:00 (9pm),” he said.

Additionally, lighting around the park will be increased to improve visibility and security. The East Jakarta Sub-office of Roads and Bridges will install additional lighting, including two spotlights.

Contraceptive Items Found

Dimas noted that authorities also discovered several contraceptive items at the location. The findings were made following the enforcement operation.

“Several contraceptive items were found inside the park. We do not know what they were being used for, but this is a serious concern for us,” he explained.

According to him, Cawang City Park became the subject of scrutiny after contraceptive items and bottles of alcoholic beverages were discovered in the green open space. These findings raised concerns about allegations that the park was being used as a location for prostitution and other misuses inconsistent with its function as a public facility.

“So, if anyone is engaged in negative or illegal activities or misuse of the park, we hope this can be reduced,” said Dimas.

Vegetation Pruning Carried Out

Meanwhile, the Head of the East Jakarta Parks and Urban Forestry Sub-office, Dwi Ponangsera, stated that authorities also undertook vegetation pruning around the fence to make the park area more visible from outside.

“We are conducting vegetation pruning to minimise obstruction of the view from outside. Today’s pruning is along the entire external fence line, along with fence closure and additional security,” she said.

The municipal government hopes that the measures of closing access points, adding lighting, and conducting routine surveillance can prevent park misuse and restore the function of the public space as a location for positive community activities.