Surabaya Municipal Government Partners with East Java High Prosecutor's Office to Recover Iconic City Assets

The Surabaya Municipal Government (Pemkot Surabaya) is partnering with the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Jatim) to accelerate the investigation of numerous disputed municipal assets. Two iconic assets drawing renewed attention are the Brantas Swimming Pool on Jalan Irian Barat and PDAM assets in the Jalan Basuki Rahmat area.

This initiative was formalised through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between Pemkot Surabaya and the Asset Recovery Division of Kejati Jatim. The collaboration aims to strengthen the protection of municipal assets currently held by third parties.

The agreement is grounded in Attorney General Guideline No. 7 of 2025, which expands the authority of the asset recovery division to support ministries, institutions, and regional governments. Beyond asset recovery, the cooperation also encompasses enhancement of human resources capacity and the exchange of data and information between both agencies.

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi explained that efforts to recover assets are not a recent undertaking. Such efforts have been pursued since previous administrations. He noted that cooperation with Kejati Jatim has yielded concrete results, including the successful recovery of Unesa Reservoir, now formally managed by Pemkot Surabaya.

“Yesterday the reservoir was formally handed back to the municipal government under the name Taman Tirta Adhyaksa. Hopefully this year we will immediately begin development so it can be utilised again by the community,” he stated in a written statement on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The Unesa Reservoir asset in the Lidah Wetan area, valued at Rp176 billion, has been successfully recovered. The 21,832 square metre site has been converted into Taman Tirta Adhyaksa, serving as a flood control mechanism, green space, and educational tourism destination.

Additionally, in 2025, Pemkot Surabaya partnered with the Tanjung Perak District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari) to recover land assets measuring 7,524 square metres in Banjar Sugihan Village and 6,581 square metres in Manukan Kulon Village. These assets, valued at Rp55.2 billion, have been pursued since 2005 but faced certification hurdles. The land will now be utilised as public facilities to support community economic activity.

Nevertheless, Eri acknowledged that several other assets remain with unclear ownership status, including the PDAM asset on Jalan Basuki Rahmat and the Brantas Swimming Pool on Jalan Irian Barat, which is recognised as one of Surabaya’s iconic public facilities.

“The Brantas Swimming Pool is an iconic asset of Surabaya. However, to this day it remains subject to dual claims of ownership. We hope that through this cooperation, and under the leadership of the High Prosecutor, state assets, particularly those belonging to Pemkot Surabaya, can be returned for the benefit of residents,” he added.

He also highlighted a recurring issue in asset disputes: claims of ownership from third parties despite the government holding official documentation.

“We already hold the certificate, there was never a problem, then suddenly a claim emerges from another party. There are approximately five assets genuinely disputed in this manner. That is why we need assistance to conduct asset clearance in Surabaya’s jurisdiction,” he explained.

To that end, he hopes the presence of Kejati Jatim’s Asset Recovery Division will accelerate the process of asset investigation and dispute resolution. With the support of law enforcement institutions, various bureaucratic and legal obstacles are expected to be overcome promptly.

“Hopefully with this new division, asset investigation becomes easier and faster. On behalf of Surabaya residents, I extend my gratitude to Kejati Jatim for its extensive assistance in returning our assets,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, Kejati Jatim Head Agus Sahat Sampe Tua Lumban Gaol stated that strengthening the asset recovery function represents part of the state’s commitment to protecting public wealth. Through this division, the prosecutor’s office is empowered to investigate, secure, maintain, and seize assets derived from criminal offences for return to the entitled parties.

“The asset recovery division has authority to conduct investigation, security, maintenance, and seizure of assets derived from criminal offences for return to the entitled parties. This cooperation serves as a preventive safeguard against regional financial losses,” said Agus.

Following the cooperation agreement signing on Thursday, 5 March, Kejati Jatim and Pemkot Surabaya will convene a coordination meeting to map assets deemed most urgent for intervention. This step aims to determine the appropriate legal strategy to accelerate the asset recovery process.

“We will conduct a meeting with Pemkot Surabaya to identify which assets are urgent and what obstacles exist to promptly address them,” he concluded.