Houses Are Often Flooded, Residents Of Kebon Pala Still Refuse Offers To Move To Flats

JAKARTA Although often affected by flooding, residents on Jalan Kebon Pala II, Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, rejected the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's (Pemprov) offer to move to flats (rusun). They claimed to have felt comfortable living in the environment they have lived in for decades.

"I was offered a move to the flats, but I was confused. It's good here, it's comfortable, I've lived from 1970. So we still need consideration," said Umiana (70), one of the residents of Kebon Pala II, East Jakarta, Tuesday, March 4.

Umiana admitted that her area was often hit by floods, both due to heavy rains and water shipments from upstream areas. However, even though the floods have often occurred in recent years, she still chooses to survive.

"In the past, it was flooded once every five years, now it can be four to five times a year. But still I'm used to living here," he said, as reported by ANTARA.

Nuryadi (62), a resident of RT 07/RW 11, Kebon Pala II, also gave a refusal to move to the flat. He admitted that he preferred to stay because his house had been occupied for generations. In addition, according to the information he received, living in the flat was only free at the beginning, while after three months it would be charged.

"Most residents don't agree to move. Many have lived for decades. If I just go with my child, and my child doesn't agree to move," said Nuryadi.

The same thing was conveyed by Suaeb (83), a resident of RT 11/RW 05, who had been offered several times to move to the flats since 1981. However, he still refused because he felt he needed more money to survive than had to occupy flats that did not match his needs.

"Every time someone offers a move, I say I just want money. If it's flats, I don't want it. I've been given the keys to the flats in Kebon Nanas, but I don't want to. In 1981 my house was evicted because I refused to move," he said.

According to Suaeb, living in flats will make it difficult for him to work as a fried food trader. If he gets a unit on the top floor, his business will be even more difficult to develop.

"How do you want to trade fried foods in the flats? Who wants to buy it if I'm on the top floor? The people at the bottom are also full of trade people. If you rent elsewhere, I can still trade," he complained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno admitted that he continued to try to offer solutions to living in flats for residents who live in flood-prone areas. However, the majority of residents still refused.

"I'm promoting flats. We have a new flat in Jagakarsa, three towers with good quality. But maybe our people are not used to living in flats. That's why I went directly to the villages, inviting residents to move to the flats," said Rano while reviewing Sodetan Ciliwung, Monday, March 3.