Menteng Pulo II Cemetery Eviction Reaches 'Happy Ending,' State Steps In Through Ministry of Human Rights' Heartfelt Approach

One of the driving forces behind the resistance to the Menteng Pulo II Cemetery (TPU) eviction, Ronal, acknowledged the active role of the Ministry of Human Rights (HAM) of the Republic of Indonesia in defusing tensions between residents and the government. He said the direct presence of ministry officials became a turning point in communication that had previously been deadlocked.

According to Ronal, representatives from the Ministry of Human Rights, including the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights Mikael Azedo Harwito, came directly to the location and offered concrete solutions to residents.

“The Ministry of Human Rights, Mr. Azedo, the Regional Head of HAM who was willing to step in, ultimately provided us with solutions,” he said.

He revealed that initially, residents assumed the arrival of government officials was merely a formality. Ronal admitted he had thought their presence was just to fulfill administrative duties without any genuine effort to hear the residents’ aspirations.

“I thought it was just a government duty, a formality — come to the field, snap some photos, done. That’s what I thought. But it turned out he wasn’t like that,” he said.

Ronal felt the approach taken was different because it was conducted personally and touched the human side of the residents.

“He met the residents from the heart, not through bureaucracy. He came here in muddy conditions, red soil, and saw it all firsthand,” he said.

According to him, the direct presence amid challenging field conditions was proof of the state’s seriousness in finding a way out. The dialogue that was built was open and free from bureaucratic barriers.

“He was indeed one of the reasons the residents eventually calmed down and were willing to cooperate. We are mature enough to see who is genuinely sincere in helping,” Ronal said.

He added that after the results of the communication were conveyed to other residents, the response was positive.

“In the end, we communicated it to the residents and they listened. There was no rejection from the residents — we placed our trust in him,” he concluded.

As is known, the eviction controversy at Menteng Pulo II Cemetery had triggered resistance from some residents occupying the area. However, through a dialogic approach and assistance, the residents (105 households) have now been relocated to the Jagakarsa Public Housing (Rusunawa). This marks the state’s presence in ensuring the process was carried out more humanely and with proper solutions.