Residents Stage Protest Against Crematorium Construction Project in Kalideres

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A number of residents of Perumahan Citra 2 staged a protest against the construction of a funeral home and crematorium in the Kalideres area of West Jakarta on Saturday.

During the action, the crowd descended upon the project site located directly beside Kalideres Regional General Hospital. They also erected banners of opposition to the construction, signed by local residents.

Budiman Tandiono, a representative of Perumahan Citra 2 residents, said the community had never been informed about the construction of a funeral home and crematorium in front of their housing estate.

He said residents only became aware of the construction after heavy equipment entered the site in the middle of this month.

“We never received any socialisation or official notification. Suddenly there was heavy equipment coming in and construction was underway,” he said.

According to Budiman, the project permit was reportedly issued on 6 February 2026, yet to date no information board or Building Permit (IMB) signage has been visible at the location.

He explained that the land currently being developed for the funeral home and crematorium is a public and social facility belonging to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, previously used as a football field. The project is being guarded by members of a civil society organisation.

“If something is going to be built here, it should be a sports facility as well. They say Jakarta lacks green open spaces, yet here they are building a funeral home without the consent of surrounding residents,” he said.

Beyond that, residents also questioned the rationale for constructing the funeral home and crematorium given that a large funeral home already operates in the Menceng area of Tegal Alur, still within Kalideres subdistrict.

Apart from the issues of community consultation and land-use conversion, residents highlighted the anticipated worsening of traffic congestion. The construction site is located on a road considered narrow and already busy with activity.

In the vicinity of the site there are two schools, a hospital, a Hindu temple, another school behind the area, and a petrol station.

“Our area is already congested. If another funeral home is added, it will certainly get worse. Moreover, it is near schools — there is also a psychological factor for children who would frequently encounter sirens and mourning activities,” he said.

Residents also expressed concern about the potential for air pollution from crematorium operations.

Furthermore, he said the local kelurahan office claimed not to know the details of the project and stated that the decision came from the central government.

“Currently, residents are submitting a request for an audience with the DPR, DKI Jakarta’s DPRD Commission A, and related agencies,” he said.

Residents have also requested that construction be halted temporarily until there is clarity on the permits and open dialogue with the community.

“We are asking for time and for construction to be stopped. If not, we could mobilise on a larger scale. This is only a portion of the residents speaking out,” he said.

Following the residents’ protest at the site, the parties agreed to temporarily halt the construction of the funeral home and crematorium pending further agreement.

“We respect the protest expressed by the residents. We will certainly convey this to our superiors regarding the protest, and for the time being we have agreed to stop work at this location,” said Hari DP, a representative of the construction workers.