Thousands of residents who live on the bank of Sekretaris River, Kampung Gili Samping, Kebon Jeruk Urban Village, Kebon Jeruk Sub-District West Jakarta, refused local administration’s plan to demolish their houses because there is still no certainty on relocation place for them until now.

Before our houses demolished, there must be certainty first on where we would be relocated, because we want to live decently as well

The demolition was actually already scheduled on Wednesday (9/17). But, the plan had to be cancelled because the residents staged demonstration at the City Hall. Now, they are on patrol day and night to anticipate the officers and heavy equipment that could come at any time.

Siti Jamilah (54), Head of Kampung Gili Samping Group 3, disclosed that the residents actually support Sekretaris River normalization project. This is because they realized that their semi-permanent houses are violating the rules because the buildings protrude onto the river. However, they want the government to relocate them to a more decent place.

“It’s not that we don’t agree with Sekretaris River normalization project. But, before our houses demolished, there must be certainty first on where we would be relocated, because we want to live decently as well,” she uttered, Friday (9/19).

Meanwhile, Head of Kebon Jeruk Urban Village, Naman Setiawan, informed that as many as 298 illegal buildings stood along Sekretaris riverbank will be demolished before the river normalized. For that, his party has conducted socialization to the residents affected by the demolition plan since five months ago.

“The demolition will still be carried out. West Jakarta Administration has sent three warning letters to the residents on September 5, 9, and 13, 2014. About the execution, I don’t know when. I just wait for instruction,” he stated.

According to Setiawan, after the demolition is carried out, Sekretaris River will be normalized then continued with the construction continuation of Jalan Inspeksi Kali Sekretaris as wide as eight meters.