West Jakarta Administration to Mediate Between Residents and Crematorium Contractor
A number of residents in Kalideres, West Jakarta, have rejected a funeral home and crematorium project, prompting the West Jakarta municipal government to declare its readiness to mediate between locals and the contractor.
“Regarding the funeral home, I have already reported to the Mayor about the residents’ objection,” said Acting Kalideres Sub-district Head Raditian Ramajaya, as quoted on the West Jakarta municipal government’s official website on Monday (23/2/2026).
He noted that the project’s licensing authority falls under the West Jakarta Sub-department of Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Affairs. He said the sub-district’s sectoral office confirmed that the project already holds a valid permit and that its Building Approval (PBG) has been issued.
“Yesterday I also communicated with the residents about the possibility of arranging a mediation or meeting with the developer and the contractor,” he said.
Raditian said residents have written to both the regional and national legislatures and are awaiting a response. The West Jakarta administration would facilitate dialogue, he added.
“Their request is for an audience with DPRD Commission A members and with the national parliament. We have been in constant communication. We are ready to facilitate a mediation meeting. However, from what we have gathered from local officials, including the neighbourhood association secretary, the residents are waiting for an audience with the DPRD. They have sent a letter and are awaiting follow-up on their request,” he said.
Previously, a crowd of residents had descended on the project site — located directly adjacent to Kalideres Regional General Hospital — on Saturday (21/2). They erected banners opposing the construction, signed by local residents.
Budiman Tandiono, a representative of residents from the Citra 2 housing estate, said locals were never informed about the funeral home and crematorium being built in front of their neighbourhood. According to him, residents only learnt of the construction when heavy machinery arrived at the site in the middle of this month.
“We never received any public consultation or official notification. Suddenly there was heavy equipment on site and construction was under way,” he said, as reported by Antara.
According to Budiman, the project’s permit was reportedly issued on 6 February 2026. However, he said there was no visible information board or building permit sign at the location.
He explained that the land earmarked for the funeral home and crematorium is a public and social facility belonging to the DKI Jakarta provincial government, previously used as a football pitch. A sign at the site identifies the land as provincial government property, covering an area of 57,175 square metres.
“If something is going to be built here, it should be a sports facility as well. They say Jakarta lacks green open space, yet this land is being turned into a funeral home without the consent of surrounding residents,” he said.