Frequent Floods, South Kembangan Residents Ask for Gorong-gorong Solution, Threatening to Demonstrate

Residents in the RT 001/RW 001 neighborhood, South Kembangan Village, West Jakarta, took decisive steps by displaying banners containing demands to the developer company to immediately complete the construction and repair of culverts which are considered to be the main cause of flooding which often submerges dozens of residents' houses in the area.

A representative of the residents contacted by the media, known by the initials SN, conveyed deep complaints about the daily impact felt due to the unserviceable water channel conditions.

According to him, the existence of high-rise buildings that are now towering around the settlement actually makes the living conditions of residents increasingly crowded and vulnerable to flooding. Residents also hope that the Governor of DKI Jakarta is willing to go directly to the location to see and review the difficulties they face.

"The manhole made by PT Pulau Intan has an immediate impact on our house. Every time it rains, the water comes in and submerges our residential area. It feels very heavy because this happens repeatedly and there is no real solution," said SN with a concerned tone.

The tension of the residents peaked on Wednesday, March 5, 2026. On that day, the heavy rainfall again made the water channel unable to accommodate the flow of water, so that dozens of residents' houses in RT 001/RW 001 were again flooded. This incident again reminded residents of the promise of a settlement that has not yet been realized, and further confirms that the problem of manholes has not been properly handled.

"We hope that the Governor of DKI can review the location of the flood subscription when it arrives," he said.

Apart from the problem of the function of the water channel, residents also questioned the licensing procedures carried out. What makes residents wonder is the fact that the construction of the new culverts was carried out when the main building of the construction project was almost completed.

Residents also questioned the existence of the Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL) documents and land and road use permits which should have been the basis for the implementation of the project.

Based on the principles of law and technical construction provisions applicable in Indonesia, the construction of supporting facilities such as culverts must be completed first before the process of establishing the main building begins.

In terms of legality, continued SN, environmental permits and permits for the use of channels or road space are absolute obligations that must be met, in order to ensure that all work is in accordance with the applicable technical standards and rules.

From the technical side of construction, the installation of manholes and the repair of the drainage system are included in the category of preparatory work and the construction of the basic structure. This work must be completed at the beginning, so as not to cause the risk of flooding, environmental damage, or road damage around the location while the main building is being built or after it is completed.

According to SN, the regulation also strictly prohibits any actions of demolition, alteration, or damage to existing water channels and roads, without an official permit issued by the authorized government agency.

Until now, residents are still waiting for an official response from PT Pulau Intan regarding the demands they conveyed through the banner. If by next Sunday there is no response or concrete steps from the developer, residents have agreed to hold a direct protest in front of the entrance to the office or location of the PT Pulau Intan project.

This action is a form of struggle for residents so that their right to live in a safe, dry, and healthy environment can be fulfilled immediately.