Due to their settlement constantly inundated and flooded every time rain pours, the residents who live around Cipinang riverside, Pekayon Urban Village, Pasar Rebo Sub-District, East Jakarta, ask related department to immediately build plaster along the river.

The residents are wishing for this river to be plastered. This is because when flood happened, the water level could reach one meter high

“The residents are wishing for this river to be plastered. This is because when flood happened, the water level could reach one meter high. If the river was not plastered, the settlement will always be flooded because the settlement is now parallel with the river, so water easily reaches residents’ houses,” said Indra Kurniawan (55), resident of RW 04 Pekayon, Friday (5/9).

Head of Pasar Rebo Sub-District, Wahyu, admitted that RW 04 and 07 Pekayon are indeed lower than water stream. Thus, when rain pours, those areas will be flooded. He also claimed that his party has proposed to related department to build plaster. Unfortunately, there is no respond until now.

“Considering the water debit is quite high when passing the area, the plaster should be using stakes to make it stronger. We have proposed for it several times to related department, but there is no realization until now,” he stated.

Responding this matter, Head of Infrastructures and Facilities Section for East Jakarta Water Management Public Works Department, Supriyatno, explained that Cipinang River is under the authority of Public Works Ministry. But if the residents filed for petition to the government to immediately take action, his party can use the city budget (APBD) through unpredictable budget. But, the construction must be done in phases.

“If the residents made a petition, we’ll take action after previously coordinate with the department. If the department asked, we’ll directly do it (build plaster along Cipinang River),” he uttered.