Somali Refugees Return to Setiabudi Pavements, Residents Complain About Accessibility

The Setiabudi area of South Jakarta has once again come under scrutiny after a number of Somali refugees were seen occupying the road pavements. Their presence has sparked mixed reactions from local residents, who complain about disrupted pedestrian accessibility and the cleanliness of the residential environment. Based on observations at the location, the refugees use the public area as a resting place throughout the day. This situation has led residents to hope for a concrete solution from the government or relevant international organisations to keep the residential area clean and conducive. Steffany, a worker in the area, expressed her discomfort with the scene on the pavement. Although she feels sympathy, she believes their presence on the roadside greatly disturbs the aesthetics and comfort of the environment. ‘To be honest, I am not sure how long they have been here, but since my office moved to this area, they have been present. Visually, it is not pleasant. But what can be done? Sometimes they rest on the roadside from morning until night, even in the rain, during the day, and in the heat, they are always there. So, honestly, it is uncomfortable to look at,’ said Steffany. She also hopes the authorities will take immediate action so the refugees can obtain more suitable accommodation without disturbing public order. ‘My hope for them is that there will soon be a response from any relevant party. I hope they can also get a decent life and that the people in this environment can also feel comfortable and safe to live or work,’ she added. To date, there has been no official statement regarding further relocation steps to be taken by the local government or related agencies to address the return of the refugees to the Setiabudi pavements.