Dedication key for Manggarai floodgate keeper

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."