Controversy Over Crematorium Development Project in Kalideres, West Jakarta
Community Opposes Funeral Home and Crematorium Development
Development of a funeral home and crematorium near the Citra 2 residential area in Kalideres, West Jakarta, has faced fierce resistance from local residents. Several residents held a protest rejecting the project on Saturday, 21 February.
Budiman Tandiono, representing the Citra 2 community, stated that residents were never informed about the construction of the funeral home and crematorium located in front of their residential area. According to him, residents only discovered the development when heavy machinery arrived at the site in mid-month.
“We never received any socialisation or official notification. Before we knew it, heavy equipment was arriving and construction was underway,” Budiman said at the location on Saturday (21/2), as cited by Antara.
According to him, the project permit was said to be issued on 6 February 2026, but to date no information board or Building Permit (IMB) sign is visible at the construction site.
He also mentioned that the project is guarded by members of community organisations.
Budiman explained that the land currently being developed for the funeral home and crematorium is public and social facility (fasum-fasos) property belonging to the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI), which was previously used as a football field.
A sign displaying the land’s ownership by Pemprov DKI Jakarta, with an area of 57,175 square metres, is visible.
“If this is built, it should also be a sports facility. They say Jakarta lacks green open space, yet this is being built as a funeral home without approval from neighbouring residents,” Budiman said.
West Jakarta Mayor’s Response
West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah stated that her office would not take sides in the dispute between Kalideres residents and the crematorium and funeral home development near their residential area.
“First of all, the West Jakarta administration does not take sides; we remain neutral. We listen to all input, aspirations, suggestions, and information provided by all parties,” Iin said after mediating a meeting between the developer and residents on Thursday (26/2).
In the mediation, Iin provided an opportunity for Kalideres residents, the developer from the Yayasan Rumah Swarga Abadi (Eternal Heaven Foundation), relevant Regional Work Units (UKPD), and Kalideres District.
“First, the party we requested information from is the community, from RW leaders. We invited RW leaders from Kalideres and Pegadungan subdistricts,” she said.
From residents, Iin gathered complaints regarding reasons for rejection. The developer was then asked for information regarding project implementation, including permits.
“We also listened to information and explanations from all relevant UKPDs. There was the Assets Board section regarding the cooperation agreement. Then from the Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Affairs subdivision (CKTRP),” Iin said.
Then the One-Stop Integrated Service (PTSP) regarding Building Approval (PBG) and also from the Environmental Affairs Office regarding the Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) process.
“Before it becomes an Amdal, the process is at the subdivision; when it’s an Amdal, it goes to the Department,” she said.
Iin stressed that the mediation involving all components was aimed at finding common ground.
“This coordination meeting with all relevant components that we invited shows that the government is present. This means we are conducting intensive and effective coordination efforts, with the aim of ensuring everything proceeds smoothly,” she said.
Jakarta Legislative Council Demands Project Halt
Meanwhile, William Aditya Sarana, a member of Commission A of the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD DKI), has requested that Governor Pramono Anung halt the construction of two crematoria rejected by residents of Kalideres District, West Jakarta, because they are located in a densely populated area.
“We have just sent a letter to Mas Pram requesting that the construction of two crematoria located in Kalideres District be immediately halted,” William said in Jakarta on Saturday (28/2), as cited by Antara.
William’s letter, numbered 040/DPRD/F-PSI/B/II/2026 dated 25 February 2026 regarding “Follow-up Actions to Community Complaints Regarding Crematorium Development in Kalideres District,” has been received by the Regional Secretary’s Bureau (Setda) of Jakarta Provincial Government.
William views this matter as increasingly urgent because construction activities for the contested crematorium project are still ongoing, despite West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah having ordered their suspension.
According to him, the complaint was filed in order to fulfil the duty as a representative of increasingly concerned residents regarding developments on the ground, and the matter has not yet reached a resolution.
William sees an indication that the crematorium developer lacks good faith in resolving the matter with residents.
“Despite being ordered to stop, residents are still witnessing heavy equipment moving in and out of the project area,” he said.
He reiterated to the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI) and the crematorium operator that Article 7 letter a of Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 3 of 2007 clearly stipulates that such buildings cannot be constructed in densely populated areas.
He stressed that the regulation is clear. “Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2007 stipulates that the governor, in determining the location for body cremation, must not place it in densely populated areas,” he said.
William emphasised that Pemprov DKI Jakarta must immediately halt the construction of the crematoria being disputed by residents of Kalideres District.
“Its presence is making the city’s spatial planning increasingly chaotic and disturbing residents as the area becomes increasingly dense,” he said.