Patience Runs Out: Angke Flats Residents Challenge Pramono to Experience the Rubbish Stench There
JAKARTA – Residents of the Simple Rental Flats (Rusunawa) in Angke, Tambora, West Jakarta, are challenging DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung to come and directly experience their living conditions, which are overwhelmed by the stench of rotting rubbish, along with flies, maggots, and rats.
The rubbish buildup in their surroundings has persisted for nearly a month, disrupting access and endangering residents’ health.
Royyan (48), one of the residents, admitted that he has run out of patience and feels that the plight of lower-class residents is often ignored.
Royyan also criticised the government’s promises that encourage Jakarta residents to live in rusunawa due to limited land availability, yet the existing flats are far from habitable.
“After all, they say when talking about housing, Jakarta residents are told to just live in rusunawa, but look at the condition of the rusunawa themselves. Don’t just look at the good parts,” he said.
The rubbish piles that have accumulated for nearly a month block the residents’ alleys, obstruct motorcycle access, and create various disease risks.
“It’s already piled up, really piled up, blocking the roads. I’m dizzy seeing the maggots. Big rats, cockroaches, flies. So, it’s uncomfortable for us. Because whatever you do, there’s the smell, it can cause diseases,” Royyan explained.
Ika, Chair of RT 10 RW 03, stated that children in the flats’ neighbourhood are forced to play far from the housing area due to the extremely dirty conditions.
“Oh dear. It’s not just the smell, it’s really bad. Especially since I have young children. The flies are the worst, especially when it rains. There are maggots that rise up there. It’s more than just disturbing,” Ika complained.
Suherman, Chair of RT 07 RW 11, explained that the rubbish collected is often only from the front area, while the back sections and narrow alleys are frequently left to pile up until it overflows onto the streets.
“Before the Bantargebang issue, the rubbish collection wasn’t regular. So, the rubbish in the front is collected, but the back isn’t,” Suherman clarified.
This is what causes the back areas and narrow alleys in the rusunawa to always become the worst accumulation points, with rubbish overflowing onto the streets.