Frees Menteng Pulo 2 TPU Land Left By Residents, Pramono: Jakarta Faces Grave Land Difficulties

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has acquired residential land at 137 families who have been living on the land of the Menteng Pulo 2 Public Cemetery (TPU), Menteng Dalam, South Jakarta.

Pramono revealed that this land acquisition was carried out as a solution to the expansion of the burial land which is currently a serious problem in Jakarta.

"What we are doing today for Jakarta who are facing pressure or difficulties for public cemeterys, this is a very positive thing," said Pramono at the Jagakarsa Rusunawa, South Jakarta, Tuesday, December 9.

Currently, Jakarta has 80 TPUs spread across 5 cities. Unfortunately, 69 TPUs are full and only receive overlapping grave services. That way, the expansion of the Menteng Pulo 2 TPU will be used for the land clearing of 1,300 new grave plots.

"That means a lot, because Jakarta is currently facing difficulties for public cemeteries. Of the existing 80 TPUs, 69 must be stacked. 69 must be piled up. Two are in preparation, nine are not piled up but there are also limitations," said Pramono.

A total of 11 TPUs in Jakarta are still receiving new cemeteries. However, the longer the land available is limited.

The DKI Provincial Government predicts that Jakarta will no longer have a burial ground if there is no expansion. Therefore, Pramono also plans to open a burial ground in other areas.

"It is impossible for Jakarta to be with the current population of 11 million, then to provide an existing funeral, 80 TPUs are no longer possible, need additions. We are starting to do that, both inside Jakarta and outside Jakarta we are preparing," explained Pramono.

Today, 137 families of residents who previously lived on the Menteng Pulo 2 TPU land were relocated to flats.

A total of 88 families were transferred to Rusunawa Jagakarsa, 2 families to Rusunawa PIK Pulogadung, 2 families to Rusunawa Rawa Bebek, and the rest returned to their hometowns.

In the ceremonial handover of the key to the rusunawa unit, Pramono realized that the relocation process would definitely have an impact on changing the daily lifestyle of residents who had been living on government-owned land.

Therefore, in order to reduce the living expenses of residents affected by the relocation, Pramono decided to free the rent of flats for half a year.

"I have said, definitely when it was moved, relocated, the initial life was tough. Therefore, for six months we gave freedom or free of charge here," said Pramono.