House On Stilts In Kampung Melayu Critics, Anies's Men: Criticism Good For Us

JAKARTA - East Jakarta Mayor Muhammad Anwar responded to the criticism regarding the construction of a house on stilts in the Kampung Melayu area, Jatinegara, East Jakarta.

Anwar admitted that he accepted the oblique assumption regarding the construction of houses aimed at minimizing the impact of the flood.

"I think criticism is healthy, good for us. We can't respond with that counter. We consider it a good thing", Anwar told reporters, Wednesday, April 7.

Moreover, said Anwar, there have been many programs from the DKI Provincial Government that initially drew criticism. However, afterward, it will gain appreciation such as the construction of a busway route for Transjakarta.

"Later, after walking, just seen. In the past, the busway pass was busy (criticized). It turned out that after walking, the residents enjoyed it. We continue to evaluate until it is absolutely perfect", he said.

The DKI Provincial Government is renovating around 40 houses for residents in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, with the concept of houses on stilts. Several houses are located in RT 13 RW 04, RT 11 RW 05, and RT 06 RW 05. The lower part is made as high as 3.5 meters.

The renovated house is a flood-prone area. Renovation with the concept of a house on stilts was deliberately made to solve the problem of flooding in the residential area of Kebon Pala residents.

Meanwhile, the budget for the construction of the house on stilts comes from grant funds Baznas DKI. The construction of the house on stilts begins on March 31, 2021. It is targeted that the house will be completed before the Eid Al-Fitr 1442 Hijriah in May.

Gembong Warsono, the head of the PDIP DPRD faction criticized this. Gembong said that Anies should not have renovated the houses of the residents of Kampung Melayu to minimize the impact of the floods.

This is because, said Gembong, floods in Jakarta did not only hit Kampung Melayu. Gembong is worried that later there will be social jealousy from residents who are often affected by flooding in other areas.

"The house on stilts will certainly cause social jealousy, is it only Kampung Melayu that floods?", said Gembong.

According to Gembong, the best way to alleviate flooding, especially in Kampung Melayu, is to normalize the Ciliwung River, which is currently still at a standstill.

"It cannot deal with flooding in bits and pieces, it cannot be according to taste. Normalization, there is no other way, if the flooded area there is no other way than normalization", he said.