West Jakarta administration follows up on residents' protest against crematorium project in Kalideres

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The West Jakarta municipal government is following up on a protest by residents of the Citra 2 housing estate in Kalideres against the construction of a funeral home and crematorium in their neighbourhood.

The administration has carried out checks with the Spatial Planning, Public Works and Land Affairs Sub-department (Sudin CKTRP) regarding the building permit for the project, which is located directly adjacent to Kalideres Regional General Hospital.

“We have checked with Sudin CKTRP and confirmed that the developer does indeed hold a valid permit,” said acting Kalideres sub-district head Raditian Ramajaya when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Nevertheless, his office is still awaiting the outcome of an audience between Citra 2 residents and the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) to gain a clearer understanding of the residents’ grievances and the motives behind their opposition.

“The residents have already sent a letter to DPRD; we are just waiting for the audience to take place. We want to understand what exactly the residents want,” Raditian said.

He did, however, confirm the residents’ complaint that the developer had not conducted any public consultation with them directly. Consultation had only been carried out with neighbourhood association (RW) leaders in Kalideres urban village.

“The consultation was limited to Kalideres urban village. The developer had met with the RW heads of Kalideres. But the people who protested were residents of Citra 2 in Pegadungan urban village,” Raditian explained.

“The residents have not yet asked us to mediate. So we will wait to see what comes out of the audience with DPRD,” he added.

Previously, residents of the Citra 2 housing estate in Kalideres, West Jakarta, staged a protest on Saturday (21 February) against the construction of a funeral home and crematorium in their area.

Observations at the scene showed the protest took place at several points around the neighbourhood. Demonstrators also descended on the project site next to Kalideres Regional General Hospital.

Large banners rejecting the construction, signed by residents, were unfurled as the protest was voiced.

Citra 2 community representative Budiman Tandiono said residents had never been informed about the funeral home and crematorium project in front of their estate.

“We never received any consultation or official notification. Suddenly heavy equipment appeared and construction was under way,” Budiman said.

According to him, the project permit was reportedly issued on 6 February 2026, yet to date no information board or Building Permit (IMB) signage has been displayed at the construction site.

He also noted that the project site was being guarded by members of a civil society organisation.

Budiman explained that the land currently being developed for the funeral home and crematorium is a public and social facility (fasum-fasos) belonging to the Jakarta Provincial Government, which had previously been used as a football pitch.

A sign at the location does indeed state that the land belongs to the Jakarta Provincial Government, with an area of 57,175 square metres.

“If this is going to be developed, it should be turned into a sports facility as well. They say Jakarta lacks green open spaces, yet this land is being turned into a funeral home without the consent of surrounding residents,” Budiman said.

Residents also questioned the rationale for the project, given that a large funeral home already exists in the Menceng area of Tegal Alur, which is still within Kalideres sub-district.

Beyond the consultation and land-use conversion issues, residents highlighted the expected worsening of traffic congestion.

The funeral home construction site is on a road considered narrow and already congested with activity.

The surrounding area also contains two schools, a hospital, a Hindu temple, another school behind the site, and a petrol station.

“Our area is already congested. Adding a funeral home will make it worse. Moreover, it is near schools — there is also a psychological factor for children who would frequently witness sirens and funeral activity,” Budiman said.

Residents are also concerned about potential air pollution from crematorium operations.

Budiman said the urban village office claimed not to have detailed knowledge of the project and stated that the decision regarding the funeral home construction came from the central government.

However, when pressed further, he said he had yet to obtain clarity on which authority is responsible — whether the municipal or provincial government.

Residents have now submitted requests for an audience with the national parliament, DPRD Jakarta Commission A, and related aspiration bodies.

They are also calling for construction to be halted temporarily until there is clarity on the permits and an open dialogue with residents is held.

“We are asking for time and for the construction to stop. If not, we can mobilise on a larger scale. This is only a fraction of the residents speaking out,” Budiman warned.