Repeated Streetlight Failures in East Jakarta Due to Theft
Streetlights on Jalan Laksamana Malahayati in Cipinang Muara, Jatinegara sub-district, East Jakarta, have gone out. It has recently been discovered that the streetlights failed due to components being stolen by irresponsible individuals.
The Head of the East Jakarta Road Infrastructure Department, Benhard Hutajulu, as quoted by Antara on Thursday (7/5/2026), stated that his team is still repairing the missing streetlight components. There are 30 streetlights at the location.
“The streetlights on Jalan Laksamana Malahayati may remain off until tonight or even tomorrow, as the missing components are still being repaired,” Benhard said.
The entire stretch of road is dark and potentially hazardous for road users, especially at night. His team received reports of the streetlights going out on Tuesday night (5/5) until the theft was uncovered.
After investigation, several key components on the electrical panel and cables beneath the panel were found missing due to theft.
Electrical Panel Lock Damaged
Meanwhile, the Head of the Urban Utilities Infrastructure and Street Lighting Section of the East Jakarta Road Infrastructure Department, Yanuar Ikhsan, said that his team has deployed six task force personnel to handle the outage at the site. It is suspected that the thieves damaged the electrical panel lock to access the components inside.
Additionally, cables under the panel were cut, causing the lighting system to malfunction.
“We do not yet know the motive behind the theft of these public facilities. To date, the perpetrators have not been identified,” Yanuar stated.
The Road Infrastructure Department is now sourcing replacement components to expedite repairs. He targets for all streetlights in the area to be fully operational again.
Theft Occurs in Other Areas
He said that cases of electrical panel component theft are not limited to East Jakarta but also occur in several other regions, including South Jakarta and Central Jakarta.
Typically, thefts happen on arterial roads far from residential areas, making them less monitored and easier for criminals to operate.
The impact of the theft has left Jalan Laksamana Malahayati pitch black at night. Yanuar urged the public and drivers to exercise extra caution when passing through the area.
The East Jakarta Road Infrastructure Department also called on the community to help maintain public facilities, including street lighting infrastructure.
“Because damage or loss of components not only harms the government but also directly impacts the safety and comfort of the wider community,” Yanuar said.
Four Thefts in One Week
In the past week, four thefts of streetlight components have occurred in East Jakarta. The latest incident was in Cakung sub-district, along the East Flood Canal (KBT) route in Ujung Menteng, Harapan Indah towards the water gate.
The East Jakarta Road Infrastructure Department reported that lights and cables were stolen.
“Several streetlight units along with their NYY cables were reported missing due to the actions of irresponsible individuals,” stated the department’s Instagram account @binamargajakartatimur on Thursday (7/5/2026).
Due to this vandalism of public facilities, several road points are dark and highly dangerous for drivers. They urged residents frequently passing through the BKT Ujung Menteng-Harapan Indah area to be extra careful.
The Road Infrastructure Department is handling the streetlight repairs. They also encouraged the public to protect public facilities for collective comfort and safety, and to report any suspicious activities related to city facility damage to the authorities.
Three Other Theft Cases
Streetlights out due to theft on Jalan MT Haryono in Cawang, Jatinegara, also occurred on Wednesday (6/5). The road at that location is now lit again.
“This installation had to be done because the previous cables were stolen by irresponsible individuals,” the Road Infrastructure Department said.
Then, on Tuesday (5/5), the department handled the outage of 30 streetlights on Jalan Laksamana Malahayati and Jalan Panca Warga in Cipinang Muara ward, Jatinegara sub-district, due to stolen electrical components. The department repaired the lighting at those locations.
“Missing components from the PJU panel box at Substation K 131 due to theft,” they said.
A few days earlier, power cables for streetlights leading to the PLN kWh meter on Jalan Jendral Ahmad Yani in Rawamangun ward, Pulogadung sub-district, were stolen. Just days before, the streetlight network there had been repaired.
“Previously, on 22 April 2026, repairs and resealing were carried out, but today the PLN kWh meter has been damaged again. As a result, streetlights along Jl Ahmad Yani Raya and Jl Rawamangun Muka are out,” the Road Infrastructure Department stated on Tuesday (28/4).