Frequent Landslides Prompt Residents to Urge Pramono to Fast-Track Ciliwung Riverbank Relocation

Landslides that have repeatedly haunted residents along the banks of the Ciliwung River, on Jalan J RT 06 RW 10, Kebon Baru, Tebet, South Jakarta, have left residents increasingly anxious. The looming threat of landslides has led some residents to press the government to realise the relocation plan promptly. In recent years, landslides have occurred at least eight times, causing several houses to collapse into the Ciliwung River.

Irma, the head of RT 06 RW 10 Kebon Baru, urged the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, to immediately implement the promise of ‘ganti untung’ for residents’ land before any further landslides occur. ‘If it were me, I would agree to relocate; I’d rather see people evacuated quickly. Please, Mr Pramono. It’s for safety; it’s dangerous if a landslide happens at any moment,’ she told Kompas.com at the scene on Saturday 7 March 2026.

To date, Irma said, residents have been enumerated three times by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government as the basis for data on those affected by relocation. ‘It’s mostly just plans. There have been forums with residents, but it’s deadlocked because no mention of compensation amount. Some residents still refuse because it’s unclear; they’re told only about compensation, not its amount,’ she said.

Irma also revealed there had been differences in how the rules were implemented by the DKI Jakarta Water Resources Service. She said initially the relocation area covered 25 metres from the river, but recently it changed back to 37 metres. ‘There are 55 housing plots in RT 6, around 100 households. If the rule is 37 metres, RT 6 would be wiped out entirely, including me. Only two or three houses would remain,’ she explained.

However, the process has stalled because there is no definite price, so residents have no certainty about finding alternative housing. ‘If the residents have SHM for their houses, then it’s not illegal; many houses existed before they had SHM. Because there was the Prona program, with certification through that Jokowi program, the rest are Verponding certificates,’ Irma said. She added that residents had already built their homes long before laws on riverside building limits were issued. Therefore, she feels residents cannot be blamed and the government must follow clear procedures for relocation. ‘If it’s not clear like this, it’s unfair to residents who want to renovate but fear eviction. Yesterday, someone who was supposed to receive a home repair grant didn’t go ahead because they were told they’d be evicted; but when will that happen?’