The normalization is targeted to be done one month. The next step is normalization at another point in a bid to minimize puddle in East Jakarta

More than 400 stalls owned by street vendors located the Baru Timur Riverbank, Rawa Bunga Urban Village, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, demolished by 500 joint personnel of Satpol PP, East Jakarta Water Management Public Works Sub-Department, army, and police.

Head of East Jakarta Water Management Public Works Sub-Department, Hendry Dunant disclosed after demolishment, his sub-department immediately normalizes the Baru Timur River. The sediment will be dredged thus its width and depth of the river as before. Currently, the current width is only 4-5 meters, whereas it was initially 7-8 meters and 2 meters depth.

"The normalization is targeted to be done one month. The next step is normalization at another point in a bid to minimize puddle in East Jakarta," he expressed.

All this time, he has difficulties to conduct maintenance due to the riverbank strewn by huts and stalls owned by vendors. Whereas, the riverbank should be clean from buildings or huts in order to facilitate maintenance.

Head of Jakarta Satpol PP, Kukuh Hadi Santosa disclosed that prior to demolishment, the Jatinegara Sub-District has done socialization prior to Eid ul Fitr. He assessed, the Baru River would be normalized and then re-use Jalan Inspeksi Kali Baru Timur as congestion handling at Jalan Barat and Jalan Bekasi Timur. 

"The vendors that have been controlled will not be relocated," he expressed.

The entire stall debris, immediately transported by 30 trucks to be destroyed. To prevent street vendors in future, 60 Satpol PP personnel would be deployed to the field.

Endro, (45), a bag vendor admitted he only resigned when officers tore down his stall. He has been selling for 10 years. Previously he was selling in the Jenderal Urip Field. After being evicted, he and other vendors moved to the Jembatan Item Market.

"I have no choice and do not where I have to trade. Hopefully, the government can immediately find a place for us," he expressed.