West Jakarta City Government Demolishes Illegal Structures in Cengkareng

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jakbar) demolished illegal buildings standing over a drainage channel in the Pakuwon area, RW 03, Cengkareng Timur, Cengkareng Sub-District, on Thursday. “This enforcement is being carried out to restore the existing channel to its original function, spanning approximately 380 metres,” said Acting Cengkareng Sub-District Head, Simson Hutagalung, to reporters at the site on Thursday. The presence of these buildings was deemed to narrow the channel’s capacity, obstruct water flow, and complicate the cleaning of sediment or mud. “We know that in the Pakuwon area, even a little rain causes puddling or flooding. So, the ward and sub-district offices coordinated with the Water Resources Sub-Directorate to carry out this enforcement for the reorganisation of the channel to function optimally,” said Simson. A total of eleven buildings were demolished independently by their owners, while other semi-permanent structures were removed using heavy equipment. “The number is approximately 11 buildings that have been demolished independently. We also carried out demolitions for semi-permanent buildings, which require an excavator,” said Simson. These buildings had previously been used by their owners as trading spots, tyre repair workshops, and community organisation posts. “They used (the land) to meet their daily economic needs, including community organisation posts. We have coordinated through the ward head and (the relevant community organisations) to agree to the demolition,” he stated. During the demolition process, there was no resistance from the building owners. “There was no refusal because socialisation was conducted and warning letters 1, 2, and 3 were issued, and the building owners voluntarily demolished their own structures over the channel,” he added.