Semarang City Government and Central Java Province Pass the Buck on Relocating Sekip Village Residents
The plan to relocate dozens of residents of Kampung Sekip affected by the land movement disaster has yet to find a clear path forward. The Semarang City Government (Pemkot) and the Central Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jateng) are passing responsibility back and forth.
Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti revealed that prior to the land movement impact, the homes of residents in RT07/01, Kampung Sekip, Jangli Ward, Tembalang District, stood on land owned by Kodam IV Diponegoro. According to Agustina, she cannot provide assistance for uninhabitable homes (RTLH) because the land occupied by Sekip Village residents does not belong to the Semarang City Government.
“The city government cannot provide RTLH assistance like this because the requirements are not met; the land ownership is not ours. I have already communicated and coordinated with the Kodam side at that time, and it was taken over by the province,” said Agustina when interviewed on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
When asked again about the certainty of relocation, Agustina reiterated that it would be handled by Pemprov Jateng. “This has already been taken over by the provincial government. We can only provide input,” she stated.
Nevertheless, she mentioned that Pemkot Semarang continues to provide basic necessities assistance to Sekip Village residents living in evacuation tents. “We are still supplying aid and other necessities. We even built temporary housing for two months near the affected location because they still have some livestock,” said Agustina.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Java Provincial Housing, People’s Housing, and Settlement Area Agency, Boedyo Dharmawan, could not provide much comment on the relocation plan for Sekip Village residents. “For the relocation process, we’ll communicate later whether BPBD knows about the update on the relocation land,” he said when confirmed on Thursday (9/4/2026).
Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Java Provincial BPBD, Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, stated that Pemkot Semarang is responsible for providing relocation land for Sekip Village residents. “For relocation, the land must be certain first. Because this (affected location) is in Jangli, it’s the Semarang City Government that searches,” he said when contacted on Thursday.
He explained that the search and provision of land for disaster-affected residents falls under the authority and responsibility of the regency/city government. Bergas cited examples of recent land movement disasters in Tegal, Cilacap, Brebes, and Banjarnegara. He said that in the relocation process for affected residents, each local government searches and provides the land.
“So, the conclusion is, when it comes to land matters, it’s the regency or local area. For Semarang City, Jangli, yes, Semarang City (that searches),” said Bergas.
For home damage assistance, Bergas said that Sekip Village residents can apply for aid to Pemprov Jateng. “The affected victims apply through the Semarang Mayor to the province to get unexpected assistance from the province. If the house is collapsed or severely damaged, they can receive between Rp10-Rp15 million,” he stated.
However, he emphasised that the aid funds can only be disbursed if there is an application from Pemkot Semarang. “As long as it’s never applied for, it can’t be,” said Bergas.
When asked whether Sekip Village residents affected by the land movement can obtain housing units as aid, Bergas said it depends on the regulations in Pemkot Semarang. “That depends on the mayor’s regulations. Whether the mayor’s regulations govern that or not. In our place (Pemprov Jateng), we regulate it, meaning if the house is severely damaged, Rp10 million is given, collapsed house Rp15 million,” he said.
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