Jakarta Council Urges Prioritisation of Utility Network Overhaul
A member of the Jakarta DPRD Commission D, Muhammad Thamrin, has emphasised that the management of utility networks must become a top priority programme. This step is considered urgent to realise a safer, more organised, and modern Jakarta.
To achieve this target, the Jakarta Provincial Government is being urged to immediately strengthen coordination with all utility operators. This is necessary to accelerate the tidying up of overhead cable networks, which are currently cluttered in several areas of the capital.
“Utilities must be organised more neatly and safely,” said Thamrin in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/7).
STRATEGIC AREAS
Thamrin requested that the programme to move overhead cables underground be prioritised in strategic areas. Crucial points highlighted include protocol roads, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas, MRT corridors, tourist areas, and centres of public activity.
According to him, the development of shared utility corridors would make network placement far more efficient and organised. This step is also considered strategic in supporting sustainable urban development.
Furthermore, the Jakarta legislator proposed the formation of a special agency tasked with managing the use of underground space and integrating the licensing system for utility networks. With more integrated governance, the process of infrastructure arrangement is believed to proceed more quickly and effectively.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The Governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung Wibowo, stated that the arrangement of cables in the capital now has a strong legal umbrella. He confirmed that he has signed the Regional Regulation (Perda) regarding Integrated Utility Network Facilities (SJUT).
“These cables are now being organised because I have signed the Regional Regulation. The Perda regarding SJUT (Integrated Utility Network Facilities),” said Pramono.
Pramono explained that the main obstacle to moving cables underground so far was the lack of covering regulations. However, with the enactment of this Regional Regulation, he is optimistic that the city’s aesthetic and safety issues can be resolved promptly.
“With the Perda that I have signed and been enacted, hopefully, cable handling can be managed better,” said Pramono.
ENGAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Pramono added that several private companies and entities have already committed to cooperating with the Jakarta Provincial Government to execute the cable management.
Nevertheless, he did not deny that the tangle of overhead cables is a complex issue in Jakarta due to the accumulation of legacy infrastructure.
“Jakarta is so complex and large, and the main problem is that there are many cables that are actually no longer in use, but the owners are unaware because they have been there for so long,” Pramode revealed.