Ciliwung Waterway Can Handle Jakarta's Flood Problems, Jokowi Reveals

Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that Ciliwung River Waterway can handle 62 percent of the flood problems in Jakarta. 

Meanwhile, 38 percent of the flood problems in the capital city still had to be solved by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, also the Jakarta Provincial Government.

"With the Ciliwung Waterway, (most of) Jakarta's flood problems can be resolved," President Jokowi said at the launch of the waterway in Jatinegara, on Monday.

"But there is still 38 percent of homework that must be done together by the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry and the Jakarta Provincial Government, as this is a very complex issue," the Head of State added. 

With the existence of the Ciliwung Waterway, President Jokowi stated that at least six villages in Jakarta will no longer experience flooding.

"The Ciliwung Waterway had been constructed for almost 11 years, and today, Alhamdulillah, it is finished. This can at least end flooding in six villages,"

President Widodo emphasized that the flood handling in Jakarta should be carried out from upstream to downstream levels.

"It cannot be carried out at the downstream only. Hence, we completed the construction of Ciawi Dam and the Sukamahi Dam in 2022," he remarked. 

The President said that the government does not solely work towards the proper handling of the Ciliwung River in Jakarta.

"There are 12 other rivers, such as Sunter River, Cipinang River, Baru Barat River, Baru Timur River, Mookervart River, and Pesanggrahan River, that also need to be handled properly," he explained.

President Widodo also drew attention to the issue of coastal flooding that had yet to be addressed properly and stressed that flooding problems in the capital city must be handled comprehensively.