Residents Of Kemang Discourse Class Action Flood, Deputy Governor: Please See Facts And Data

DKI Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria (Diah Ayu / VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria has invited residents of the Capital City who suffered losses due to flooding to file a class action lawsuit.

This responds to the emergence of discourse filing a lawsuit by a number of residents in Kemang, South Jakarta. However, Riza asked residents to pay attention to data and facts about the causes of the floods that hit.

"Regarding class action, that is the right of the people. Our country is a country of law, a democratic country. Please everyone look at the facts and data. All governments, regardless of the governor, will want to give the best for their citizens, including flood control," said Riza at City Hall. DKI, Central Jakarta, Monday, February 22.

Riza said, the task of the government is to plan and implement flood management programs as best as possible.

Moreover, according to Riza, the DKI Provincial Government does not work alone. In the flood control program, DKI works with the support of the central government and the support of other local governments.

"Overcoming floods in Jakarta must cooperate with the areas around Jakarta and also with the central government," he said.

"For example, the central government has built reservoirs in Cimahi and in Ciawi which will be completed by the end of this year. Hopefully in the future it will contribute related to flood control, reducing at least 11 percent," he continued.

Previously, the discourse of this class action was thrown by the Jakarta City Citizens Forum (FAKTA). They advised residents to sue the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government for its poor flood handling and anticipation skills.

"The residents should sue the Jakarta Provincial Government for the messy handling of this week's floods. The essence of the lawsuit that can be carried out within the provincial government is not preparing, conducting early warnings and emergency assistance to help flood victims," said FAKTA Chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan.

According to Azas' analysis, the flood in Jakarta this time was caused by a drainage (water channel) dysfunction. Many waterways in Jakarta are clogged and unkempt, so that when it rains heavily, the water cannot flow and instead stagnates.

Meanwhile, the task of maintaining waterways, said Azas, is the responsibility of the DKI Provincial Government. In this context, Azas said that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government was not working well. Azas also highlighted the DKI Pemprov's inability to provide early warning to residents.

"This means that the provincial government and its governors have yet to prepare an early warning system and an emergency response system to help residents. This carelessness can be questioned and legally sued by flood victims," he said.

For example, the owner of the restaurant business, Lawless Burgerbar, Arian Arifin, threw a class action discourse because it was the first time it was affected by flooding. The discourse is just that, said Arian when calling VOI, Monday, February 22. "That's just the discourse being rolled out. I don't know how it will be later."

What is clear, this year's flooding is getting worse for business. For example, Lawless Burger Bar Kemang. Last year the flood stopped, indeed. But only up to the front of the road. Didn't get into the shop area. "Many of my friends (businessmen in Kemang) are still affected," said Arian.