A few days into the job, newly appointed Jakarta Vice Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat probably realized how difficult fixing the capital city is actually going to be. Djarot, who went blusukan to the frequently flooded Kampung Pulo, Jatinegara, East Jakarta yesterday, was shocked to see the locals’ living conditions.
“How can they be comfortable living here? This is the edge of the [Ciliwung] river that should not be settled on,” Djarot said yesterday, as quoted by Tempo.
Djarot added that the citizens of Kampung Pulo have to be relocated as soon as the government can provide alternate housing for them.
A local man, who has lived in Kampung Pulo for 10 years, told Djarot that they have gotten used to the frequent flood in the area. But he realizes that Kampung Pulo is not a suitable living environment, especially for children and seniors.
“In times of flood, we feel sorry for the little children and the seniors here,” he said.
Djarot then instructed head of the Jatinegara sub-district Syofian Taher to compile data on young children and seniors in the area, as they will have first priority to be relocated away from the Kampung Pulo nightmare.
