Demak Association Urges President Prabowo To Complete Rob Sayung Flood

The Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo and the Public Works Officer were present at the Istighosah held by PCNU Demak, representing President Prabowo Subianto, Sunday (15/6). (IST).

The tidal flood that hit Sayung District, Demak, is increasingly worrying. For years, thousands of houses, ponds, and national roads have been submerged in sea water. People no longer just hope that they are urgent.

The call came from the Demak Bintoro Nusantara (PDBN) Association which voiced the aspirations of the citizens of Sayung, including migrants. They hope that President Prabowo Subianto will intervene directly to resolve the disaster which has turned into a permanent crisis.

In an istighosah activity held by PCNU Demak, Sunday (15/6), the Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggoro, was present to represent the President. His presence was seen as an initial signal that the government had begun to pay serious attention to the Sayung tidal flood, which had seemed ignored so far.

Demak community leader in Jakarta, H. Hasan Fatoni, hopes that the move is not just symbolic. He emphasized the need for concrete commitment from the President and the ranks of ministries.

"This is not a new disaster. People have been waiting too long. It's time for the central government to take over," Hasan was quoted as saying in an official statement from GDPN, Monday (16/6).

In addition to the Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, who represented President Prabowo Subianto, was also present. Public Works Officers were present at the Istighosah held by PCNU Demak. From Demak there is Deputy Regent KH. Muhammad Badrudin, Chair of PCNU KH. Muhammad Amin, etc. Sunday (15/6). (IST).

As Deputy Chairperson of the Demak Association, Hasan assessed that this forum was not just a gathering forum. GDPN, he said, is a strategic bridge that encourages collaboration between Demak residents and local governments.

"We need synergy. Just focus on real work. You don't have to worry about things that don't matter," said Hasan, who is also the Chairman of the Right Technology Competing for MSMEs at the Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that all members of the association are ready to donate time and energy for Demak's progress. "The remaining time after work must be used for real contributions. Both alone and together. Because we love our homeland," he said.

Chairman of the PDBN Board of Trustees, Major General TNI (Ret.) Hartomo, highlighted the main cause of the Sayung tidal flood: sea level continues to rise, while land continues to fall. According to him, technical solutions such as the construction of sea dams or mass relocation must be considered.

"If the area is strategic, such as industrial centers or government, then the sea dam is the main choice. But if it is just an ordinary settlement, relocation can be more efficient," said the former TNI Head of Village.

Meanwhile, a public administrative expert from Demak, Prof. Dr. Hanif Nurcholis, said that the Sayung tidal flood was not just a natural phenomenon, but a national disaster that was allowed to drag on. He mentioned thousands of houses, ponds, and main roads to sink regularly. This, he said, is no longer a matter of ups and downs, but about justice and the safety of residents.

"The state must not remain silent," said Hanif, Professor of the Open University as well as Chairman of the Board of Experts and Bank Litbang PDBN.

Hanif called for the government to act immediately, in accordance with the constitutional mandate. He conveyed four concrete steps, namely establishing Sayung as an area affected by permanent rob, preparing and running a long-term master plan based on mitigation and adaptation of climate change, ensuring the rights of residents who have lost their homes, land, and basic access and allocating special budgets for human relocation and infrastructure recovery.

This is not just a technical matter. This is a matter of state responsibility. We call on the President, Governor, and Regent of Demak to act quickly. Don't wait for everything to sink," concluded Hanif.