Dark Side of Cawang City Park in Jakarta Raises Concerns
Cawang City Park in East Jakarta is suspected of being misused for illicit activities based on community reports and the discovery of contraceptives and alcohol bottles at the location. In response to these allegations, the East Jakarta Municipal Government has closed access points to the park as a preventive measure to reduce social risks.
Surveillance has been intensified through combined operations conducted at night involving the Civil Police, police, and military personnel. Additionally, lighting around the park will be increased, including the installation of spotlights and vegetation trimming to improve visibility and security monitoring.
Forest Supervisor for East Jakarta Sub-District, Iwan Sulaiman, told detikcom at Cawang City Park on Saturday 28 February 2026 that his team apprehended four men suspected of attempting to engage in illicit activities at the park.
“Illicit LGBT activities occurred with four individuals on Friday at 01.00 in the morning at the location of East Jakarta City Forest. Yes, it is correct that officials discovered items indicating illicit activity. We found them, and we have two park maintenance staff. We discovered contraceptives, along with tissues and condoms,” said Iwan.
The suspected perpetrators are believed to have entered the park through a gap between the park fence and a wall at night. That gap has now been sealed.
The gap used as an entry point by the perpetrators at night is located near the underpass of the Cawang-Grogol Toll Road, on Jalan DI Pandjaitan, East Jakarta. The gap is the final point where the park boundary fence meets the pavement.
The gap measured less than one metre in width. At the bottom of the gap, there were several large stones, suspected to have been used as footholds by perpetrators to enter Cawang City Park.
The gap has now been sealed with concrete. The concrete has completely closed off the gap and is currently being supported using plywood.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has requested that the Civil Police unit clean up illicit activities from Cawang City Park. Pramono added that enforcement is not limited to just one location, but will also extend to other parks across Jakarta, including those operating 24 hours. The provincial government will tighten supervision to ensure public facilities are used appropriately.
“I will request the Civil Police to clean this up. Jakarta cannot have spaces like this,” said Pramono to journalists at Al Hamid Putra Islamic Boarding School, Cipayung, East Jakarta, yesterday.
“We will handle all of it. Including, we will later install CCTV for this,” Pramono emphasised.