Flood victims rally at Bappenas

JAKARTA: Dozens of flood victims rallied in front of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) office on Jl. Taman Suropati in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.

They victims demanded the planning board provide transparent information on the Rp 20 trillion (US$2 billion) to be handed over to the city administration by the central government to fund a 10-year flood prevention program.

Several adults in the group carried garbage cans and placed them in a garden located across from the office, while a number of children drew pictures on a long cloth. The ralliers also sang patriotic songs while one of their members gave a speech.

Wardah Hafidz, the chairwoman of the Urban Poor Consortium and the organizer of the rally, told The Jakarta Post that they were protesting in front of the planning board because it was involved in the disbursement of the money.

"The board must not disburse the money without first understanding the needs of most of the residents here. They must be aware that the funds will be managed by the (city) administration, which so far has failed to manage problems in the city, including the recent floods," she said.

Despite failing to meet with the board's chairman, Kwik Kian Gie, who was not in the office on Wednesday, the victims were able to meet with several top officials to convey their concerns. -- JP