PDIP Lega, Heru Able To Continue The Stalled Ciliwung Detention Center In The Anies Era

Residents wash on the banks of the Ciliwung River, Kampung Melayu, Jakarta, September 2019. (Between)

Jakarta - Chairman of the PDIP faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Gembong Warsono said he was relieved because the construction of the Ciliwung River drain was resumed for approximately two months Heru Budi Hartono became the Acting (Pj) Governor of DKI Jakarta.

Because, while serving as Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan is said to have never carried out land acquisition for settlements mapped for the drain project.

According to Gembong, Heru Budi Hartono had the courage to make a breakthrough by executing the construction of the Ciliwung river drain to the East Flood Canal (BKT).

"Maybe it is estimated that no later than mid-2023 it will be connected, meaning extraordinary progress. For five years we have been waiting, hopefully we can feel the benefits," said Gembong, quoted on Thursday, December 29.

In the continuation of the construction of the Ciliwung Sodetan, Heru has coordinated with the National Land Agency (BPN) to accelerate the land acquisition process so that the giant culverts can be carried out by the central government.

"This means that Pak Pj has the courage to carry out the execution of the construction of the Ciliwung river drain to the East Flood Canal," said Gembong.

However, Gembong encouraged all relevant regional apparatus organizations (OPD) to accelerate their duties. Thus, it is targeted that by mid-2023 the drain will be connected and can reduce the impact of Jakarta's flooding by up to 30 percent.

"There needs to be a strong impetus, Mr. Acting by mobilizing all the potential of his SKPD to focus on executing the completion of the drain program. Hopefully within the next six months, adding three months (since Heru took office), we can feel the benefits," he said.

Similarly, the Indonesian Lemhannas Professionals (Taprof) Dadang Solihin also views the Ciliwung drain as one of Heru Budi's breakthroughs which is part of Jakarta's strategy towards a resilient city.

"This is an extraordinary breakthrough. Sodetan will answer about the resilience of the threat of disaster (flood) and transportation, which will solve the problem of congestion and economic acceleration solutions," said the former Deputy Governor of DKI during the Anies Baswedan era.