To Deter Negative Activities, East Jakarta City Government Adds Spotlights in Cawang City Forest

The East Jakarta City Government has expanded the use of lighting in the Hutan Kota Cawang area, along Jalan DI Panjaitan, Kebon Pala, Makasar, East Jakarta, to prevent the misuse of the city forest at night. Yanuar Ikhsan, Head of Section for Infrastructure, Provision, and City Utilities and for Public Lighting at the East Jakarta Bina Marga Office, explained that the installation of spotlights was undertaken to prevent misuse of Hutan Kota Cawang at night. Previously, two 240-watt spotlights had been installed; now one additional 120-watt spotlight has been added. The lighting upgrade is a response to a video that went viral showing groups of men entering the city forest at night. In a recent clean-up operation, the joint team found contraceptives in the area. In addition to lighting, the Parks and City Forest Office for East Jakarta also pruned tree branches in the area. “This pruning is not only to anticipate potential trees falling, but also so that the light from the spotlights can reach the entire area as effectively as possible,” said Made Widhi, Head of Greenery Pathways and Cemetery at the East Jakarta Parks and City Forest Office. The pruning took place from 27 February to 1 March 2026 with 14 personnel from the Green Team deployed. The finding was made during a site inspection by the Parks and City Forest Office together with the Makasar Sub-district to close access to the forest area. “Inside there were several contraceptives. We don’t know what they were used for, and we hope residents will also join us in keeping this park for positive activities,” said Makasar Sub-district Head Dimas Prayudi at Hutan Kota Cawang on Friday, 23 February 2026. As a follow-up, the East Jakarta City Government permanently closed two entry points with concrete pours. “There are two points that today we are trying to close permanently by pouring concrete, in cooperation with the Parks Office, and after that there will be fencing and attention to the park so that its function can be maximised,” said Dimas. In addition to closing access, the government will pursue further reorganisation to restore the green space’s function as a public space. To enhance supervision, the East Jakarta City Government will increase lighting around the area by installing spotlights.