Road Potholes in Jakarta and Emergency Patching: Why Can't It Be Fixed Once and for All?

Under the dim streetlights and the never-ending flow of traffic, a pothole in the Bassura Underpass on Jenderal Basuki Rachmat Road, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, recently captured public attention. A video uploaded by the TikTok account @Ijooel on 23 February 2026 showed the deep pothole in that area. The pothole was deemed hazardous to drivers, especially motorcyclists passing through. “This pothole is deep. Motorcycles will definitely fall in; it’s huge,” said a man in the video recording. “Potholes like this can’t be fixed with hotmix; they need concrete too. Otherwise, it will definitely get damaged again,” he added. Public attention to the video was then addressed by the government. The Deputy Mayor of East Jakarta, Kusmanto, confirmed that the pothole had been handled. “I’ve coordinated with the Sub-Directorate of Road Infrastructure. It’s already been repaired,” Kusmanto told Kompas.com on Monday (4/5/2026). However, in photos received by Kompas.com, the handling at the site showed a different pattern. Parts of the damaged road appeared to be only patched with asphalt, while on the other side, the concrete hardening that was the previous road structure was still visible. The Bassura case is not the first. In other locations, similar patterns were also found. In February 2026, Kompas.com surveyed several road sections in Jakarta with recurring patchwork conditions. In the Senen area, Central Jakarta, Matraman, East Jakarta, and Pancoran, South Jakarta, this condition has become a recurring sight. Asphalt patches often appear new but soon peel off and crack again.