DKI DPRD Asks For Repair Of Mutiara Beach Embankment To Be Accelerated After Leaks

Illustration of the Jakarta City Hall (doc of the DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission D of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Bun Joi Phiau; highlighted the leak in the safety embankment at Mutiara Beach, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, which recently raised concerns about coastal residents.

He said he had received reports that sea water seeps into the land through the damaged embankment. This condition is considered to have the potential to trigger tidal flooding if it is not handled immediately.

"We received news that the Mutiara Beach Embankment had a leak, so that a lot of sea water seeps and enters the mainland. This has made many residents living around it worried about the possibility of tidal flooding if the damage is not immediately repaired, by the authorities," said Bun Join to reporters, Tuesday, November 25.

The DKI Jakarta Water Resources Agency (SDA) plans to repair it by increasing the elevation or height of the embankment on the side of the leak. Bun Joi urged that the move be carried out without delay.

"We hope that this can be done as soon as possible so that water on the coast does not become a threat to residents living in the surrounding land," he said.

He also emphasized the importance of construction quality in renovating embankments so that leaks do not occur again. According to him, the materials used must meet the standards and be able to withstand sea water pressure in the long term.

"The Natural Resources Service must ensure that the materials used in the renovation are the best. The embankment must be tough in order to hold water for a longer period of time. Don't let us continue to renovate the leaking embankments because they are damaged. It will cost a lot of money and endanger the safety of residents on the coast," he said.

Previously reported, the DKI Jakarta Water Resources Service (SDA) followed up on the findings of residents regarding the seepage of the safety embankment in the Mutiara Beach area, Pluit, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, after a video of the condition of the embankment was widely circulated on social media.

In a video circulating on Instagram social media, the sea level is still within normal limits. However, behind the wall that is directly opposite the housing, there are small cracks that cause sea water to overflow, causing puddles.

"Responding to information on social media about the embedding embankment at Mutiara Beach, the DKI Jakarta SDA Office has now carried out a field survey," said Head of the Planning Subgroup for Rob Control and Coastal Development of the DKI Jakarta Natural Resources Service, Alfan Widyastanto to reporters, Monday, November 24.

Alfan said that mapping was also carried out on a number of coastal embankments which were considered to have the potential to experience seepage or leakage.

Currently, the SDA Office is currently preparing the planning stage for the elevation of the embankment at Mutiara Beach. This step was formulated to adjust the existing conditions which were deemed necessary for strengthening.

"For the embankment at Mutiara Beach, the DKI Jakarta SDA Office is currently carrying out the planning stage with the elevation of the embankment which will be higher than the current condition of the embankment," said Alfan.

Alfan added that the repair work is targeted to start as soon as the planning process is complete. "The target for the implementation of the work is expected to be realized as quickly as possible and in accordance with existing procedures," he said.