Inaugurating Ciliwung Sodetan, Jokowi Says He Can Solve 62 Percent Of Jakarta Flood Problems

President Joko Widodo arrived at the Sodetan Ciliwung Inlet area, East Jakarta, Monday (31/7/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo said the settlement of the Ciliwung Sodetan could at least reduce 62 percent of the flood problem in the capital city of DKI Jakarta.

"With the completion of the Ciliwung Sodetan, this also resolves the Jakarta flood, (increased) well; but the Ciawi-Sukamahi Dam, Sodetan Ciliwung, normalization of Ciliwung, East Flood Canal, can only solve about 62 percent of the flood problems in Jakarta," Jokowi said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 31.

Jokowi said this at the inauguration of the Ciliwung Sodetan at the Ciliwung Jatinegara Sodetan Inlet, East Jakarta, which was also attended by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Hadi Tjahjanto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, and the community around Sodetan.

With the Ciliwung Sodetan, Jokowi said there were still 38 percent of flood problems in the capital city that must be resolved by the central government and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

"This means that there is still 38 percent PR (homework). This must be done together with the Ministry of PUPR and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. Once again, it must be done together with the Ministry of PUPR with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, together. This is a very complex and difficult problem," said Jokowi.

With the completion of the Ciliwung Sodetan, Jokowi targets that at least six urban villages in Jakarta will no longer experience flooding.

"Sodetan Ciliwung's business has been around for years, it's been almost 11 years, and thank God it's finished today. This can solve at least six urban villages without flooding anymore," he added.

According to him, the handling of Jakarta floods must be carried out from upstream to downstream.

"It cannot be done only downstream. Therefore, last year we had completed building in Bogor, whose names are Ciawi Reservoir and Sukamahi Reservoir in 2022," said Jokowi.

He also reminded that the handling of floods in Jakarta is not enough to only overcome problems in the Ciliwung River.

"Because we in Jakarta do not only take care of the Ciliwung River. There are 12 other rivers that also need to be handled properly; yes, the Sunter River, Cipinang River, West Baru River, East Baru River, Mookervart River, Pesanggrahan River, and others," he explained.

Another problem that has not been handled, according to Jokowi, is the tidal flood that rose to the mainland of DKI Jakarta.

"Once again, the handling of Jakarta floods must be carried out from upstream to downstream comprehensively," said Jokowi.