From Cemetery Land to Pesakih Flats in West Jakarta, Agus Weaves Dreams in New Home

Residents relocated from the cemetery land owned by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government in Pegadungan and Kamal, Kalideres, West Jakarta, are now starting new lives in rental flats.

However, they also face their own challenges in leaving homes they have occupied for over a decade.

One of them is Agus, a Kamal resident who now lives in the Pesakih Flats, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, after participating in the second phase of relocation on Monday (30/3/2026).

“It was really tough, actually. But you have no choice,” said Agus when interviewed by Kompas.com at the Pesakih Flats on Wednesday (1/4/2026).

He realises that he has been occupying government land that is not actually permitted for habitation.

“What’s the point of resisting? We have no rights anyway,” he added.

Now, Agus lives with his wife and three children in a unit on the top floor of the Pesakih Flats.

He admits that the flat’s facilities are very livable, but he regrets that there are only stairs to reach the upper units.

“From the bottom to the top, you have to use stairs; it’s really exhausting, especially when carrying lots of items. Large items won’t be able to go up,” he complained.

Agus recounted his experience moving belongings from morning until evening.

With quite a lot of household items, he was only assisted by his child and two officials from the ward office.

“From morning until evening, my goodness, I was completely drained, couldn’t go anywhere. Everyone’s bodies ached, legs hurt, bodies sore. I lost count of how many times I went up and down,” he said.

Since he has only been living there for less than a week, he does not yet know the exact amount of utility bills he will have to pay.