DPR Questions Flood Control Project in Jabodetabek

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The flood disaster that has struck the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi areas over the past two days raises questions regarding flood control projects, which are deemed to have not yet succeeded in addressing this recurring problem. Yet, flood control programs and projects in the Greater Jakarta area have consumed a significant amount of state funds.

The government needs to evaluate the impact and flood control projects in the Jabodetabek area to determine the extent of their effectiveness.

Deputy Chairman of Commission V of the House of Representatives, Syaiful Huda, highlighted the flood disaster in the Jabodetabek area over the past two days. The flooding that struck Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi was significant compared to previous years.

"This situation certainly raises questions about whether various policies, programs, and flood control projects in Jabodetabek have been running optimally. Why does flooding in this area keep recurring?" said Huda when contacted on Wednesday (5/3/2025).

Heavy rains from Monday to Tuesday (3-4/3/2025) in the upstream river areas and the Jabodetabek region have caused severe flooding in several areas. The floodwaters have even reached heights of up to 3 meters.

In Jakarta, flooding originates, among other sources, from the overflow of the Ciliwung River, Pesanggrahan River, and Krukut River. Parts of South Jakarta and East Jakarta are the most affected by the floods, particularly in Rawajati, East Pejaten, and Gedong, which are close to the Ciliwung River. The floodwaters in these areas have reached heights of up to three meters, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the overflow of water from the Bekasi River has flooded nearly the entire area of Bekasi City in West Java. Residents' activities have been disrupted as residential areas and shopping centers are submerged in floodwaters. The Bekasi River overflowed due to heavy rainfall in the upstream area in Bogor, West Java, as well as local rain in Bekasi City. At least seven districts were flooded as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Pondok Gede Permai and Villa Jatirasa residential complexes were the most affected by the flooding. These two housing areas are located right along the riverbank, separated by a wall embankment over two meters high. Hundreds of residents were evacuated, while some chose to stay on the second floor of their homes. In addition to residential areas, the flood also struck economic centers, including Mega Bekasi Hypermall. The overflow of the Bekasi River breached the embankment before inundating the mall's ground floor.

Huda observed that numerous flood control projects have been implemented in the Jabodetabek area, ranging from the construction of the East Flood Canal (BKT), normalization of the Ciliwung River, revitalization of reservoirs and dams, to the development of infiltration wells. Additionally, weather modification is often applied when extreme weather is predicted.

"Various flood control programs and projects in the Jabodetabek area cost a lot of state money," he said.

However, when it rains with high intensity the impact is extraordinary as it happened in the past day or two. He also questioned the impact of flood control programs and projects in the Jabodetabek area that have not been optimal in reducing the flood disaster.

"In my opinion, the government needs to specifically measure the impact and flood control projects in the Jabodetabek area to find out how effective they are," Huda said.

Before the importance of the evaluation, currently, Huda asked the government to focus on saving victims affected by the flood. He encouraged a joint team from the local government to ensure integrated work in dealing with flooding in Jabodetabek, especially saving victims.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal also asked the government, especially the local government to be alert in helping the community. Joint officers must also ensure that evacuations continue to be carried out comprehensively. The local government must prepare proper evacuation posts, including facilities for children, pregnant/nursing mothers, and the elderly.

"The local government and BNPB also need to ensure that residents who are still surviving in their flooded homes continue to receive assistance and guarantees of security and comfort, especially since the majority of residents are currently fasting," said Cucun.

Member of the House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party Faction Muhammad Khozin also urged the central government to handle floods in the Jabodetabek area comprehensively and holistically. Flood management in the Jabodetabek area cannot be done sectorally with a regional basis based on regional head policies. Flood management in Jabodetabek must be carried out under the command of the central government.

"We ask the Government of President Prabowo Subianto to create a legacy for flood management in the Jabodetabek area by leading holistic and comprehensive policies from upstream to downstream," said Khozin.

President Prabowo Subianto must resolve the flooding problem that occurred in the Jabodetabek area that has harmed the community. He also asked the DPR to hold a meeting with the central government and regional governments involving various commissions to ensure that the flood management policy in Jabodetabek is not partial.

"We are very concerned about the floods that hit the people in Jabodetabek, especially during the month of Ramadan. Now is the momentum for the Prabowo Government to resolve this classic and crucial problem," said Khozin.

For a medium-term solution, Huda encouraged the government to immediately form and ensure the performance of the Agglomeration Area Council to focus on flood control in Jabodetabek as the first and main work program.

In Law Number 2 of 2024 concerning the Special Region of Jakarta Province, one of them mandates the formation of an Agglomeration Council. Thus, the major flood disaster in Jakarta, Bekasi, Bogor, South Tangerang is expected not to continue to recur.

The presence of the Agglomeration Area Council is also important to ensure the effectiveness of the impact of flood control programs and projects in Jabodetabek so that the people's budget is not wasted.

"The Agglomeration Area Council must also conduct a thorough study related to the triggers of flooding and recommendations for mitigation. Is it because of the decreasing infiltration area in the Puncak Bogor area, is it because of sedimentation of the Ciliwung River, are there errors in spatial and regional planning in Jakarta and Bekasi and so on," said Huda.