JATA Coalition to Monitor Gubernatorial Regulation to Halt Groundwater Exploitation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Presidium of the Jakarta Groundwater Protection Coalition (JATA) is monitoring the implementation of Gubernatorial Regulation No. 5 of 2026 concerning Energy and Water Efficiency in Buildings to halt groundwater exploitation.

“Excessive groundwater usage contributes to land subsidence, which has a significant impact on increasing the risk of seasonal flooding, tidal flooding, and damage to infrastructure, harming the wider community,” said Coordinator of the JATA Presidium, La Ode Kamaludin, during a declaration at the JATA headquarters, Jalan Kampung Melayu Kecil 3, Tebet, South Jakarta, Thursday.

The declaration, which demonstrates concern for the environment, carries the theme “Save Jakarta’s Groundwater, Save the Future of the City.”

Kamal believes that groundwater exploitation in Jakarta over the years has caused various serious impacts, especially due to its use by large-scale buildings such as apartments, hotels, shop-houses, and industrial areas.

He emphasized that the prohibition of groundwater usage in buildings and industries is an important step in realizing a safe and livable city. Urban development should not burden the community with environmental risks while only a few parties enjoy the benefits.

Therefore, he requested that the government ensure that the transition process to using piped water is carried out fairly and transparently.

“Improving the quality and expanding the coverage of piped water services is a key prerequisite so that the groundwater restriction policy can be accepted by the community without causing social resistance,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of Jakarta Present, Taufik Rendusara (Tope), added that as part of the JATA Coalition, his organization is strongly committed to efforts to prevent groundwater exploitation.

“The issue of water is not only related to technical aspects, but also concerns the sustainability of the city and the responsibility between generations,” he said.

Through this declaration, Tope continued, the Jakarta Groundwater Protection Coalition is ready to be at the forefront in monitoring and overseeing the implementation of Gubernatorial Regulation No. 5 of 2026.

Chairman of the Youth Movement Network (Jamper), Gea Hermansyah, explained that the JATA Coalition will take a number of strategic steps, including organizing community voices into a collective force that is taken seriously.

Then, strengthening public control over water services so that they are not only driven by business logic; building legitimacy for water policies through active community participation.

“We will also firmly oversee the cessation of groundwater exploitation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Citizens Coalition for Justice, Marlo Sitompul, said that land subsidence in Jakarta is a clear fact.

“If we look at the Penjaringan area, it is clear that there are residential areas that have become part of the sea. Year after year, land subsidence continues to occur, this must be addressed so that it does not become a danger in the future,” said Marlo.