Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Ciliwung River Canal at the Inlet of Ciliwung River Canal, Jatinegara Sub-district, East Jakarta City, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, July 31, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Distinguished Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, Cabinet Secretary, and Governor of Special Capital Region of Jakarta,

Distinguished public figures of Special Capital Region of Jakarta,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Flood control in Jakarta must be carried out from the upstream to downstream, from the upstream to downstream. It cannot be conducted only in the downstream. For that reason, last year we finished the construction of Ciawi Dam and Sukamahi Dam in Bogor in 2022, Ciawi Dam and Sukamahi Dam.

Today, the construction of Ciliwung canal is completed and it is not enough to control floods in Jakarta because in Jakarta, we do not only handle Ciliwung River. There are 12 other rivers that needs to be handled well, namely Sunter River, Cipinang River, West Baru River, East Baru River, Mookervaart River, Pesanggrahan River, and others. We must also handle tidal floods that occur in Special Capital Region of Jakarta. Once again, Jakarta flood control must be carried out comprehensively from the upstream to downstream.

Ciliwung Canal has been an issue for years, almost 11 years and today, thank God, it is finished. It can overcome [flood]. At least six urban villages will not be hit by floods anymore  and the completion of Ciliwung Canal construction also overcomes Jakarta floods. Ciawi and Sukamahi Dams, Ciliwung Canal, and normalization of Ciliwung Eastern Flood Canal can only solve approximately 62 percent of the flood problem in Jakarta. It means that we still need to work on the 38 percent.

Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and Provincial Government of Special Capital Region of Jakarta must work on it together. Once again, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and Provincial Government of Special Capital Region of Jakarta must join hands, work together. This is a very complex and difficult problem. Therefore, we hope the completion of Ciliwung Canal [construction] can reduce Jakarta floods, primarily in the six urban villages I mentioned before.

And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I officially inaugurate Ciliwung Canal in the Province of Special Capital Region of Jakarta.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(DH/MMB)