There Are Still 850 Families In Jakarta Defecation Carelessly

Deputy Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office, Dwi Oktavia, revealed that there are still many residents in Jakarta who defecate carelessly (BABS). It is recorded that around 850 families in 9 urban villages are undergoing this habit.

"So in North Jakarta there are still 4 locations, West Jakarta there are still 2 locations, South Jakarta there are 1 location, East Jakarta there are 2 locations. In total there are still around 850 families who still defecate arbitrarily," said Dwi, who is familiarly called Lies to reporters, Monday, July 28.

Lies said, the practice of defecating carelessly in Jakarta is still happening because these residents live in dense settlements. There is almost not enough land to build sanitation such as communal septic tanks.

"It is difficult to intervene because there is no large enough land, which is owned by, be it by government agencies that can be installed as we can see now, or there is no land for example owned by individuals, which then people who own land are willing to be used as a place," explained Lies.

Therefore, the DKI Provincial Government is still looking for land that can be used for the construction of a communal MCK, involving cross-sectors. At least, there is land to be able to build household septic tanks.

"For example, if there are still limitations that cannot be done immediately, then there is a kind of joint commitment, how long it will take to be able to solve the problem of defecating on any items, so that it can then be implemented, achieving the actual safe sanitation status that we hope for," he said.

Today, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the groundbreaking of the integrated communal septic tank technology biogas in Rusunami Bidara Cina, Jatinegara, East Jakarta.

There are 10 points built for East Jakarta septic tanks, ranging from Rawabunga, Kampung Rambutan, Pekayon, Pinang Ranti, Cipinang Melayu, Milling, Cipinang, to Klender. These ten points include 921 families.

Pramono said, this septic tank was built as a sanitary service for residents. Because, until now, there are still many Jakartans who defecate carelessly (BABS).

"The problem of defecating carelessly is still a serious concern of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. Even though the numbers are relatively low compared to other regions, we remain committed to resolving this issue," said Pramono at the Bidara Cina Rusunami.

Pramono explained that the sanitation program is not only infrastructure development, but also includes changes in people's behavior. The hope is that through this program, residents will no longer practice defecation carelessly.

Pramono targets that all Jakarta residents have access to proper and safe sanitation. Through the construction of biogas-based communal septic tanks, he hopes that the BABS problem can be resolved while creating environmentally friendly energy.

"Sanitation is indeed private, but because we continue to communicate with the community, RW, and mayors, problems like this must be resolved immediately. I ask the Mayor to report and confirm the handling, especially in densely populated areas, so that it is completely resolved," he said.