Impact Of Changing Street Names In DKI Jakarta: Residents Manage Data Changes And Potential Extortion Practices

One of the streets that underwent a name change in DKI Jakarta/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA – The change of 22 street names in DKI Jakarta caused rejection from a number of residents. One of them is a resident of Jalan A Hamid Arief, previously known as Jalan Tanah Tinggi V, in Central Jakarta. The residents' protests got the attention of a public policy observer, Trubus Rahadiansyah. He assessed that the change in 22 street names in DKI Jakarta was prone to illegal levies (extortion), and even he said it had the potential for corruption.

However, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through the DKI Jakarta Population and Civil Registration Service (Dukcapil) ensures that the process of changing home addresses or population document data due to changing street names is free of charge.

Although the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan promised ease of administration of population administration for residents of the 22 newly changed street names, residents were worried that processing other letters apart from ID cards and family cards would incur other costs.

"It's impossible, the lower levels will not comply. In fact, there is a potential for corruption, the potential for extortion," Trubus Rahadiansyah told VOI, Friday, July 1.

Jalan A Hamid Arief, the name of the new street in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta/ Photo: IST

Trubus asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to be responsible for all these policies.

"I'm sure there is, in fact the potential for extortion, corruption and so on. In the end, it takes advantage of unrest in the community. There are other efforts, there are free people who are looking for profit there, because that's the name of the 22 roads that have been changed," he said.

Trubus assessed that the change of 22 street names in Jakarta would have a wide impact. According to Trubus, identity politics by changing street names is unnecessary.

"The policy is misguided, there is no urgency, what for?

Citizens Rejection

Previously, in accordance with Governor's Decree Number 565 of 2022 concerning the Determination of Street, Building and Zone Names with the Names of Betawi and Jakarta Figures, there were 22 new street names with names derived from Betawi figures.

However, the policy of changing 22 street names in DKI Jakarta carried out by DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan did not run smoothly. For example, from the change of five street names in the East Jakarta area with the names of Betawi figures and freedom fighters, apparently there is still resistance from residents.

In addition to the names of Jalan Mpok Nori and Jalan Haji Bokir, there are also Jalan Haji Darip, Jalan Entong Gendut, and Jalan Rama Ratu Jaya which are also street names in East Jakarta.

Of the five street names, the residents on Jalan Entong Gendut refused. This road was originally called Jalan Budaya. However, because of Governor Anies' policy, the name Jalan Budaya changed to Jalan Entong Gendut.

Jalan Entong Gendut is set from the starting point of the Jalan Batu Ampar intersection to the end point of the Jalan Raya Condet intersection.

However, the change in the name of Jalan Budaya to Jalan Entong Gendut was protested by residents. Residents refused and put up banners refusing to change the name of the street.

Meanwhile, in the Central Jakarta area, there are 8 street names that have changed names. Namely, Jalan Raden Ismail replacing Jalan Buntu, Jalan Mahbub Djunaidi replacing Jalan Srikaya, Jalan M. Mashabi replacing Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya on the north side, Jalan HM Saleh Ishak replacing Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya on the south side, Jalan Abdullah Ali replacing Jalan SMP 76 and Jalan H Imam Sapi'ie replaced Jalan Senen Raya.

Two changes to street names in the Central Jakarta area were also rejected by local residents.

As happened on Jalan A. Hamid Arief, which replaced the name Jalan Tanah Tinggi 1 alley 5, Johar Baru District. Residents on Jalan Tanah Tinggi RW 06 refused to change the name because it was considered without clear socialization.

Residents claimed that they had never been involved in deliberation or notification of road name changes from the local kelurahan.

Banners rejecting Anies Baswedan's decision to change street names at several points in DKI Jakarta/ Photo: IST

Fajri as the Head of RT 10/06 confirmed that he had never received an invitation to deliberation regarding the change of street names. He actually knew that the name of the road had changed, which was installed without the knowledge of the residents.

"We still refuse to change street names in our area," he said.

Furthermore, the rejection also occurred on Jalan Tino Sidin which replaced the name Jalan Cikini VII. According to local residents, changing the name of the road will make it difficult for them. The change in street names has resulted in residents having to re-administer residence documents, vehicles, banking, insurance, and other documents.

Head of RT 001/001, Nur Jaman. He represents the voices of the people in his neighborhood who refuse to change the name of the street.

"I asked the residents, many did not agree. The reason is, some say they are dealing with complicated documents, such as ID cards, vehicle registrations and others," he said.

At least, Nur Jaman covers 36 family cards (KK) in his area. According to him, all the heads of the family did not agree.

In the West Jakarta area, only two street names have been changed. Jalan Guru Ma'mun replaces the name Jalan Rawa Buaya and Jalan Syekh Junaid Al Batawi replaces the name of the West Outer Ring Road.

In fact, residents in West Jakarta also refused to change the name of Madrasah Street to Syech Abdul Karim Bin Asfan Street in North Sukabumi Village, Kebon Jeruk District, West Jakarta. Head of RW 02 Iis Subradi said residents refused because they thought the name Madrasa itself had a history.

"Because this has been embedded in people's hearts, because there is already a history. This means that this alley has been around for a long time, you know," he said.

He explained that on Friday, June 24, he and the residents had a meeting with the Camat, Lurah, and Head of the Tourism and Culture Sub-Department in North Sukabumi Village to discuss the residents' rejection of changing street names.

One of the street names in Jakarta that has undergone a change. ( Between)

As a result of the meeting the name Syech Abdul Karim Bin Asfan was not used and returned to using Jalan Madrasah II. With this decision, the Head of RW 02 Iis Subradi was grateful.

As for the name of the street in South Jakarta, which also changed its name is Jalan H Rohim Sa'ih replacing Jalan Bantaran Setu Barat, Jalan KH. Ahmad Suhaimi replaces Jalan Bantaran Setu Babakan Timur, Jalan Hj. Tutty Alawiyah replaces Jalan Warung Buncit Raya, Jalan KH. Guru Amin replaces Jalan Raya Pasar Minggu North Side.

In the North Jakarta area, only one street name has been changed, namely Jalan Mualim Teko replacing Jalan in front of the Muara Angke Nature Park.

Then in the Thousand Islands region, two street names were also changed, namely Habib Ali Bin Ahmad Street replacing the name Panggang Island Street, Kyai Mursalin Street replacing the Panggang Island Street name.