Cawang Residents Accept Demolition for Ciliwung River Normalisation

A number of houses in RW 03, Cawang Village, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, began to be demolished on Wednesday (15/7/2026) as part of the Ciliwung River normalisation project.

The demolition marks the initial stage of the DKI Jakarta provincial government’s efforts to accelerate flood control in the capital.

According to observations by CNBC Indonesia, rows of houses that had stood for decades along the riverbanks have slowly been reduced to rubble. Alleys once bustling with residents’ activity have turned into expanses of building debris.

One resident said he supported the normalisation programme, which had been mooted since the era of President Soeharto. According to him, flooding has been a persistent problem haunting the area. Floodwaters once reached the chest of an adult even when residents had retreated to the second floor of their homes.

The resident, who has lived in the area since 1972, also recounted that flooding conditions have worsened since 2022. Whereas major floods previously occurred only about once every five years, inundations can now happen several times a month.

He added that socialisation of the demolition had been carried out since 2020. Since then, residents have been completing various administrative requirements, from document verification to receiving the Land Rights Release Letter, or SPH.

Amid the demolition process, a number of residents were seen sorting through building debris and packing belongings to be moved to their new homes. The Ciliwung River normalisation process is still under way. Buildings at the site have been grouped into several phases, ranging from appraisal and documentation to payment.

The DKI Jakarta provincial government is targeting the Ciliwung River normalisation project in the Rawajati, Pangadegan, Cawang and Cililitan segments to be completed by 2027, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the city of Jakarta.