Jakarta Flood Management Seen as Still Reactive, DPRD Says No Major Breakthrough Yet
Flooding that inundates hundreds of RTs (Rukun Tetangga) in Jakarta each time rainfall is heavy shows that the problem remains a major unresolved task for the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta).
A member of the Jakarta DPRD from the PSI faction, Bun Joi Phiau, said that floods recurring almost every year should already be anticipated with a more mature flood-control system.
“Every year we hear the same excuse, namely heavy rainfall. In fact, heavy rain is a predictable phenomenon and should have been anticipated with a mature flood-control system,” he said when contacted by Media Indonesia on Sunday (8/2).
According to him, to date there has been no policy breakthrough truly significant in tackling floods in Jakarta. The programmes in operation are regarded as reactive and routine.
He cited several measures that have been carried out, such as dredging channels, operating pumps, and limited normalisation at certain points.
These efforts are indeed important, but are considered insufficient to address the root causes of a flood problem that has persisted for decades.
“The programmes in place remain reactive and routine. Measures such as dredging channels, pump operation, or limited normalisation are certainly important, but not enough to solve the root of Jakarta’s flood problem,” he said.
The PSI politician questioned whether Pramoko Anung, as Governor of DKI Jakarta, has a comprehensive strategy when facing extreme rainfall.
According to him, a city as large as Jakarta should have a modern drainage system, adequate pump capacity, and integrated river management.
“If every heavy downpour still floods hundreds of RTs, then something is not functioning optimally,” he said.
He assessed that the tangible impact of various flood-control programmes to date has not been felt significantly by the public. Flood patterns are said to recur at the same locations almost every year.
“In other words, there is an indication that the policies implemented have not touched long-term solutions,” he said.
Therefore he urged not only to focus on emergency response when floods occur but also to accelerate strategic steps in the long term.
“Flooding must no longer be treated as an annual routine event. Jakarta needs leadership willing to make big, measured decisions so that every monsoon season residents are not continually victims of the same problem,” he concluded.