Businessman Urges DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to Mitigate Flood Impact

JAKARTA - Business circles urge the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) to mitigate the impact of flooding because it has been proven to have suppressed the turnover and economic activities of the community.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government must take steps and mitigate so that this flood problem does not haunt people's activities every rainy season," said Deputy Chairman of the Regional Autonomy Chamber of Commerce Sarman Simanjorang in an official statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Saturday, January 17.

The statement was related to flooding on a number of roads in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) which occurred due to heavy rain on Monday, January 12.

He said the flood had greatly narrowed economic and business activities, which had put pressure on purchasing power and the region's economic growth rate.

Sarman also asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to collaborate with the Bodetabek buffer regional government to handle this seasonal flooding problem.

According to him, the circulation of money due to flooding in Jabodetak has decreased significantly due to limited movement of residents.

He noted that the decline in economic activity was felt in shopping centers such as Tanah Abang, Mangga Dua, Glodok, Gunung Sahari and Kelapa Gading which were deserted by visitors.

Land transportation services were also stuck in traffic jams, while the air sector recorded 109 delayed flights and 31 flights diverted from Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

In addition, the hotel, restaurant, cafe and tourist destination industries, including Ancol, TMII, Ragunan and Old Town, reported a decrease in sales.

Damage to public facilities and residents' homes also occurred ranging from furniture, vehicles to drains and road markings.

"Economic losses occurred in various sectors such as trade/ritel," he said.

For this reason, Sarman reminded the DKI Provincial Government to continue to revitalize rivers and improve drainage and culverts, as well as weather modifications at the peak of each rainy season.

"It is too expensive for us to bear the loss if this flood problem becomes a scourge that cannot be solved because in addition to economic and infrastructure losses, the health problem of residents is also at stake, especially if it takes human lives," he said.

Heavy rain throughout Monday (12/1) triggered flooding on several roads in Jabodetabek. Severe flooding occurred in almost all areas of Jakarta.

At least, there were three fatalities due to electric shock during the flood in Cilincing and Tanjung Priok Districts, North Jakarta.