Jakpus City Government Clears Dozens of Illegal Structures Along Riverside

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Pusat City Government has cleared dozens of illegal structures along the riverbank in Gunung Sahari Utara subdistrict. “There were 14 illegal structures that were cleared,” said the Head of the Civil Service Police Unit for Sawah Besar subdistrict, Jakarta Pusat City Government, Darwis Silitonga, in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, the illegal structures were located along the Kali Mati waterway, specifically on Jalan Rajawali Selatan XII, Gunung Sahari Utara subdistrict, Sawah Besar subdistrict, Central Jakarta. Darwis explained that some of these illegal structures were suspected of frequently selling alcoholic beverages and serving as venues for criminal activities. Moreover, continued Darwis, local residents had reported to the Gunung Sahari Utara subdistrict office because crimes such as pickpocketing and muggings often occurred in the area. “Some of these illegal structures are often used as places to drink alcohol and hang out. And based on reports from the community, street crimes frequently occur here,” he stated. Darwis said that the location cleared by officers will be redeveloped by the Gunung Sahari Utara subdistrict office. Meanwhile, the Acting Head of Gunung Sahari Utara subdistrict, Ikhwan Julio Akbar, stated that after the clearance by officers, the area will be redeveloped, such as by creating a park and urban farming by planting productive crops like chillies and pak choi. Julio added that in line with the instructions from the Mayor of Central Jakarta, urban farming and fencing around the location will be carried out to prevent illegal structures from being built again. “We will redevelop the area starting at the end of April and target completion by the end of June,” he said.