Illegal buildings used as drinking spots demolished in Central Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A series of illegal buildings located along the banks of the Kali Mati river, on Jalan Rajawali Selatan XII in Gunung Sahari Utara Ward, Sawah Besar District, Central Jakarta, have been cleared by the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP).

According to the Acting Head of Gunung Sahari Utara Ward, Ikhwan Julio Akbar, the demolition was carried out because the buildings were often used as spots for drinking alcohol.

The operation took place on Thursday (16/4).

“That location was used as a place for drinking alcohol, not for selling it,” Julio said in Jakarta on Saturday.

After the demolition, he added, the area will be redeveloped into a park or land for urban farming planted with productive crops, including chillies and pakcoy, in accordance with instructions from Central Jakarta Mayor Arifin.

Furthermore, to prevent the re-emergence of illegal buildings, the area will be fenced off.

“We will develop the area, starting at the end of April and targeting completion by the end of June,” Julio stated.

“There were 14 illegal buildings demolished,” said the Head of the Sawah Besar District Satpol PP, Darwis Silitonga, in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4).

He mentioned that previously, local residents had complained to the Gunung Sahari Utara Ward about the existence of these illegal structures because street crimes, such as pickpocketing and muggings, frequently occurred at the site.

“Some of these illegal buildings were often used as places for drinking alcohol and hanging out. From community reports, street crimes frequently happen here,” Darwis explained.