West Jakarta Crematorium Rejection Advances to Legal Action

Residents’ opposition to a crematorium on Jalan Utan Jati, Kalideres, West Jakarta (Jakbar), continues. They have filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court (PTUN) regarding the crematorium project on Jalan Utan Jati. The suit names the Mayor of West Jakarta City, Iin Mutmainnah, as the defendant, challenging the granting of the Building Permit (PBG) for the crematorium. The project has been halted after widespread protests on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Residents say they were never informed about the construction of a funeral home and crematorium located in front of their housing area. ‘We never received socialisation or official notification. Next thing you know heavy equipment arrived and construction began,’ said resident Budiman Tandiono. The permit for the project is said to have been issued on 6 February 2026, but there was no visible signboard or IMB at the site. The suit was filed with PTUN. Budiman Tandiono, coordinator of the Citra Garden 2 Residents’ Group, said the suit (case no. 83/G/2026/PTUN JKT) was filed because residents believe the crematorium permit violated local regulations. ‘The defendant is the Mayor of West Jakarta Administrative City, namely the Head of the Investment and One-Stop Service (PM-PTSP) of West Jakarta City,’ he said, quoted by Antara, Friday 6 March 2026. The suit was registered with PTUN Jakarta on Tuesday, 3 March. He stressed that the object of the suit is the Building Permit (PBG) currently held by the developer, even though there is no environmental permit. The legal basis cited is Regional Regulation No. 3 of 2007 on Burial, particularly Article 7(a), which prohibits the establishment of crematorium facilities in densely populated areas. ‘Yes, the suit concerns the PBG because granting the PBG and construction violate the regulations, violate the perda, which prohibits building in densely populated areas,’ Budiman said. The suit was filed collectively on behalf of ward residents whose areas share borders with the project. ‘(The suit) on behalf of RW, representing residents. RW 12 and RW 17 of Daan Mogot Kalideres Housing, then RW 12 and 17 of Pegadungan Village (Citra Garden 2),’ he said. They have also received court summons for the first hearing, scheduled for Wednesday 11 March at PTUN Jakarta. Residents are prepared to face representatives of the West Jakarta City Government in court. Residents hope the judges will objectively scrutinise the permit process and permanently halt the crematorium project. ‘Hopefully justice will be served and the request to prove that the permit was granted wrongly and construction should be halted can be met,’ Budiman said. Response from West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah: Iin regards the lawsuit as part of democracy. ‘Part of democracy, follow the rules, part of citizens’ duties, please,’ she said. She respects residents’ legal actions as a means to oversee government. According to Iin, residents’ recourse to the Administrative Court is a form of aspiration that must align with applicable rules. ‘When residents’ aspiration reaches the court, please align with the regulations,’ she added.