End Of July Promise Broken: Localization Of Mount Antang Still Stands Firm, Residents Wait For PT KAI's Firmness

JAKARTA – PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) plans to demolish the Gunung Antang prostitution site, Matraman District, East Jakarta in July this month. A number of illegal buildings will be made public facilities, one of which is the Green Open Space (RTH). However, hundreds of wild huts and dimly lit stalls on PT KAI's land are still standing strong today, Monday, July 25.

Rows of wild huts made of wood and plywood are still visible in the prostitution area. To trick the officers' eyes, the wild huts were covered with rows of zinc.

From VOI's observations at the location, there has not been any visible demolition of illegal buildings by the owners and occupants of the prostitution area. In fact, the management of RW 09 of Palmeriam Village, which is adjacent to the prostitution area, also confirmed that there has been no firm action from related parties, especially PT KAI.

"Currently (the localization of Mount Antang) is still operating normally as usual," said Head of RW 09 Palmeriam Village, Sutrisno to VOI at the location, Monday, July 25.

Meanwhile, based on information received by the head of the local RW, he knows the time limit for demolition given by PT KAI until August 2, next week. If the residents of the Gunung Antang localization do not carry out the demolition independently, they will be forced to unload by the officers.

"The limit is until August 2 (self-dismantling), otherwise the information is forcibly dismantled (officers). We are also waiting for firmness from the authorities to dismantle (Gunung Antang)," he said.

Sutrisno explained, based on data held by the management of RW 09 Palmeriam, a resident of the Gunung Antang localization, East Jakarta, there are more than 60 residents who live in the prostitution area.

"There are 60-100 wild beds, mostly residents from outside. Only outsiders are there, residents here (Palmeriam) at least 1 to 2 people are there (localization) to earn a living," he said.

Previously reported, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) targets the localization control to be completed this July. In fact, residents of the building in the Gunung Antang localization have received a letter of socialization on the demolition of the building on June 28, last year.

In the socialization invitation letter issued on June 28, 2022, it was written: PT KAI together with the East Jakarta City Government will carry out an arrangement in the area between Manggarai Station - Jatinegara Station (Gunung Antang). We intend to invite residents of buildings on land owned by PT KAI in the agenda of socializing the control plan.

The socialization with the owners of illegal buildings on land owned by PT KAI, the Gunung Antang localization, was held at the Jatinegara District office, East Jakarta on Thursday, June 30, last.

Head of Public Relations of PT KAI Daop 1, Eva Chairunisa, confirmed that there was socialization of the demolition to the occupants of the land owned by PT KAI.

"Yes, that's right. (the results of the socialization) They are willing to carry out independent demolition of the program this July. There are about 100 (buildings)," Eva said when confirmed by VOI, Wednesday, July 6.

Eva also ensured that the control of a number of illegal buildings in the form of cafes and illegal huts would be completed in July at this time.

"This July (completed demolition)," he said.

However, until now the demolition of the building has not been carried out.

Therefore, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria asked East Jakarta Mayor Muhammad Anwar to immediately carry out the order.

"Our ranks, the mayor, the sub-district head, the village head, the Satpol PP, and all of them, apart from anticipating prevention, will also bring order. Later we will leave it to the Mayor and his staff to bring order wherever there are immoral activities that are not good," said Riza at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Monday, July 11.

Riza emphasized that the control of the Gunung Antang localization area had complied with the rules. Because the activities there clearly violate immoral norms.

"Of course, activities that violate, especially immoral, are not allowed in the city of Jakarta," he said.