Ciliwung River normalization project in Cililitan Urban Village, Kramatjati Sub-District, East Jakarta, was protested by the residents living on riverbank at RT 16/10, Thursday (5/22). The residents reasoned that the project contractor did not coordinate when installing stakes on their lands.

A week ago, the contractor came to the residents to ask permission to dredge the river. But why they brought along two TNI personnel? Is it new order era? This is reformation era. I still not permitted

There were 11 residents held protest. Some stretched posters saying refusal to the project before land acquisition is conducted, while others were removing the stakes. Then, they got onboard the heavy equipment and forced the workers to stop the river normalization process.

Bachtiar (62), a local who owns a land as wide as 1,600 square meters, explained that this protest action was conducted because the residents were offended by the contractor’s attitude in working on Ciliwung River normalization project. Guarded by two TNI personnel, the contractor came and installed the stakes haphazardly for about 30 meters from Ciliwung Riverbank.

“Actually, this one-hectare wide land belongs to four residents. Two of them still alive, while the others are the heirs,” he disclosed.

Bachtiar stressed that he and the other residents actually support Ciliwung River normalization project. However, there are procedures and rules that must be conducted by the contractor. Unfortunately, when the contractor installed stakes on his land, they did not coordinate.

The stakes installation was conducted twice. The first was three months ago. At that time, the residents were actually upset with the stakes installation, but they chose not to fuss it over to prevent clash. Unfortunately, the contractor utilized that situation by installing stakes again last week.

“ A week ago, the contractor came to the residents to ask permission to dredge the river. But why they brought along two TNI personnel? Is it new order era? This is reformation era. I still not permitted ,” asserted Bachtiar.

Responding this matter, the project implementer, Didik Sustiono, said that since the normalization project of Ciliwung River is central government’s program, his party will coordinate first with Public Works Ministry related to the residents’ demand.

“We will coordinate with Public Works Ministry. This project is stopped temporarily while waiting for the answer from Public Works Ministry,” he stated.