Due to electricity arrears of Rp 2.79 billion for September and August, State Electricity Company (PT PLN) had to disconnect electricity power in 387 parks in Central Jakarta since Monday (10/13). Hence, Acting Central Jakarta Mayor, Rustam Effendi, immediately instructed local Parks Sub-Department officers to safeguard those parks, particularly at night.

I’ve instructed Central Jakarta Parks Sub-Department Head to send officers to guard those parks at night to avoid unwanted things

“Dark condition can lure criminal action and utilize by irresponsible people. That is why I’ve instructed Central Jakarta Parks Sub-Department Head to send officers to guard those parks at night to avoid unwanted things, thus people passing in the locations would feel safe and comfortable,” he stated, Friday (10/17).

At this time, Effendi admitted that he does not have a solution yet to re-light up the parks at night. While to take electricity power from residential, it is impossible because electricity power for park lightings is very huge. One of the ways he can do is by urging Central Jakarta Parks Sub-Department to speed up the process of additional budget to pay off the electricity arrears to PT PLN.

Meanwhile, Head of Central Jakarta Parks Sub-Department, Jansen Saragih, could not be asked for confirmation since his cell phone was not active and he did not reply the short message sent to his number.