Dedication key for Manggarai floodgate keeper

Endang Roh Suciati, Contributor, Jakarta

The garbage piles up on the water's surface surrounding the Manggarai floodgate in South Jakarta. Workers dredge up tons of waste, but new garbage continues to float down the Ciliwung river.

Riwut Padmadi, 55, a guard at the Manggarai floodgate, is unhappy about the situation.

"The people along the Ciliwung flood plain should not dump garbage into the river as it contributes to flooding in the area," the father of two children said.

Cleaning up garbage is not his main job, but as a person who is in charge of the floodgate, Riwut is sad about the trash problem.

Riwut's main job is controlling the water level at the Manggarai floodgate, monitoring reports from Depok and Bogor, West Java about the water level there, and noting and reporting each development as it happens periodically to the Jakarta Public Works Agency.

The developments in Depok are important as it influences the water level at the Manggarai floodgate. Generally, the passage of water from the Depok post takes about six hours before it arrives at the Manggarai floodgate.

Another important job Riwut has is answering questions from people regarding the water level. Actually, this is not part of his work, but he does it out of loyalty to the job and his genuine concern for people.

The Manggarai floodgate is the first gate the Ciliwung river passes through on its way from Bogor to Jakarta. Its function is to regulate the water.

From there, the flood is controlled so that vital areas in the capital, such as the offices of the central government around the National Monument, will not be affected.

The Manggarai floodgate has two main water control gates. The first leads to Ciliwung Kota, in which the water flows past areas, such as the Istiqlal Mosque, Gadjah Mada and Gunung Sahari, and influences the important locations in Jakarta. The other is the Banjir Kanal, which flows past the areas of Karet and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta and Grogol in West Jakarta before it empties into the sea.

For almost 27 years without fail, Riwut takes care of the floodgate, though he realizes that his job will not make him rich.

"This is my livelihood and I do it wholeheartedly," he said.

There are four guards who control the floodgate for 24 hours a day. They decide among them what shift they will work.

"The important thing is that we have to control the floodgate," the grandfather of two said.

From a modest small room located near the floodgate, Riwut does his daily job, armed with a walkie-talkie, telephone and radio. There is no television or any sophisticated tools.

During the wet season, activities increase at the floodgate compound. Security officers, neighborhood heads and journalists crowd Riwut's office. The telephone rings incessantly.

The recent flooding in Jakarta made people realize the vital role the floodgates play.

The wet season also forces the guards to be on alert at all times. "The condition is normal only in the dry season," said Riwut.

Another situation that requires the guards' vigilance is fielding inquires from panic-stricken residents affected by the floods. Many people nearby have just realized the importance of the floodgate. They used to think the guards were able to open the floodgate at any time and on residents' request.

"We had to explain to them about the rules. They got panicky after rumors were flying about a major impending flood," said the East Java native. He was referring to the tension created during last month's crisis.

In such a situation, Riwut can only do his best by keeping his head and working long hours. He left his wife to manage their home in Cipinang Besar, East Jakarta, which was also hit by the floods last month.

"Somehow, my place was here at the floodgate, which, thank God, was safe," he said.

At critical times, the guards spend the night at the post in silence and keep an eye on the water level. There is just a cup of coffee and refreshments to keep them company.

Riwut, who has worked for almost three decades at the Manggarai floodgate, said his income was just enough for supporting his family, but he refused to reveal the amount.

He will retire soon from the job he has dedicated half his life to, and he looks younger than his actual age.

On how he chooses to live his simple life, he said: "Be patient. Keep trying. Be grateful for what you have and do not assume that things will come easy."