Residents sue over crematorium permit, West Jakarta Mayor: It is a democratic right

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah spoke about a lawsuit by residents of Kalideres and Pegadungan over the issuance of the permit for the construction of a funeral home and crematorium, Swarga Abadi. Iin said the city government had previously informed residents about the plan through a public hearing at the West Jakarta City Hall on Thursday (26 February 2026). ‘That information had actually been provided; there was a public hearing,’ Iin told Kompas.com in Kebon Jeruk on Thursday (5 March 2026). ‘When residents voice their aspirations up to the court, please, that is their right, part of democracy,’ she said. She also considered residents’ attempt to sue the government as a form of public participation in overseeing the administration. ‘Please comply with the provisions; that is all, it's part of the duties of the community; go ahead,’ she said. Previously, residents of Kalideres filed a lawsuit against West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah regarding the issuance of the Building Approval (PBG) for the Swarga Abadi crematorium project. The suit was filed with the Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) because residents argued the permit issuance violated regional regulations. ‘The defendant is Mrs. Mayor of West Jakarta Administrative City, namely the Head of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service (PM-PTSP) of West Jakarta City,’ Budiman said when contacted by Kompas.com, Thursday (5 March 2026). The object of the lawsuit is the Building Permit (PBG) that the project developer had obtained, even though according to residents the environmental permit had not yet been issued. Budiman explained that the legal basis of the suit refers to Regional Regulation No. 3 of 2007 on Burial, particularly Article 7 paragraph a, which prohibits the construction of crematoria in densely populated residential areas. ‘Yes, the lawsuit is about the PBG. Because the granting of the PBG and the construction violate the rules, violate the Regional Regulation, which prohibits building in the middle of densely populated residential areas,’ Budiman said.