(Warning: Strong languages and Rants ahead)
I know that I shouldn’t write this, but let’s face it. After several years, the phenomenon is back, and it’s even worse than ever. It has been a known fact that the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, which is known as the capital city of Indonesia and one of the busiest cities in the world, also known for its floods. But years prior to today, all flood cases are handled quickly and efficiently, without having to fear of another one every time the rain comes. During the first three months of a new year, the Jakarta flooding is almost certain will make the news on a daily basis.
I have to say, I’ve been to this situation where floods are everywhere in your surrounding areas (although my own neighborhood is located in fairy higher ground, which is a good thing on its own), and few of my friends have been struck with this type of natural disaster. Whether in Manado or Bogor (where I live now), I always cherish the fact that my home is free from the flood. I can vividly recall the 2014 Manado Great Flooding on January 15, 2014, which claimed 19 human lives and damaging over 1.000 houses, with estimated loss of around IDR 1,8 Trillion. And let me tell you, it was hailing nonstop from two days prior, and intensified with windstorms on the morning of the day. Communication broke down, road networks disrupted, flights being cancelled, and blackouts are the thing we have to endure during those treacherous days. The flood recorded the highest ever at over 4 meters high. That is twice more than the depth of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Both the Indonesian Government and local authorities did their maximum to restore the city; and is now thriving with marine tourism and currently emerging as the new tourist destination.
The flooding in Jakarta is, quite frankly, not really a new issue, because the city is infamously known for it. But the way the current administration handling this matter is making my blood boil. The case can be traced back to December 31, 2019 during New Years Eve celebration. The next day, Jakarta is flooded in several key areas, including a taxi pool in Kramat Jati. Today, after an overnight rain, the city is once again flooded, with puddles reaching thigh level of an adult. Several key toll roads are also flooded, including the oldest toll road in service, the Jagorawi (Jakarta-Bogor-Ciawi) Toll Road. While some are worrying about evacuation, others took to social media to once again criticize the current Governor Anies Baswedan, who are deemed “incompetent” on running the government, especially on issues like this. Now bear in mind, this guy won the Jakarta Election by the means of racism, taking a complete advantage on the blasphemy case of Basuki Tjahja Purnama a.k.a. Ahok, the current governor at the time who happens to be of Chinese descent and of Christian faith. He was also backed by the FPI (yep, those dickheads. I heard that their leader is still on Saudi Arabia on a self-imposed exile, but I guess he is too scared to come back), that same hard-lined “Islamic” group who is responsible for the 212 Movement, referencing their protest on December 2, 2016. At the time, he was perceived as someone that has the highest amount of respect to the Islamic society and to true Indonesians/pribumi (or so they claimed), while Ahok was perceive as a Chinese dictator and a blasphemer. And the racism didn’t stop there. They are also willing to persecute fellow Muslims to an extent of abandoning one’s funeral who happened to support the incumbent governor, claiming by doing so, they justified the blasphemy.
The way he run the capital is also a notorious one. He infamously slashed the flood mitigation funds in favor of the preparation of the FIA Formula E race slated to take place in the Monas Street Circuit in Central Jakarta on June 6, 2020. Despite being a fan of this series, and motorsport in general, this is a head-scratching move for me. Yes, Indonesia is slowly recognized on the international stage thanks to the 2018 Asian Games, but doing this while sacrificing the more important matter like environmental issues is straight up nuts. Earlier on the month of February, he instigated a revitalization project at the National Monument, WITHOUT consulting to the State Secretary. And the way he conducted the project? He cut all the trees situated on West Medan Merdeka Street. He is also not above making controversial statements either. He once stated in response of the New Year’s Day flood that water is supposed to flow and to be absorbed to the ground, not directing it to the sea because it will violate God’s will (now this is the most fucked up statement of the decade so far). The ones who supports him are even crazier, claiming that the flood is actually “God’s gift”. The Ciliwung River Normalization started during the Ahok Era is since discontinued under Baswedan, replacing it with the more weaker “Naturalization” Project. At the time, only 16 km (10 miles) of riverbed that are successfully dug and enforced with dams surrounding the riverside settlements.
I have to say that although Baswedan deserves all the bashing due to his alleged incompetence and constant diversion on issues at hand, we have to consider our role as normal citizens. Blaming the flooding solely on someone’s incompetence is not really a wise decision, although it played the most part. We are also (partially) responsible for all these things, such as littering, logging, building settlements on riverbeds, and less attention on water irrigation. So, for those of you who wants to bully the governor, think about this: have you done enough to prevent the flooding on the small scale? And for Mr. Baswedan, quit joking around, pull your head from your ass, and actually, just for once, focus on the mitigation of the floods. Formula E can wait, it will still be held. Put all your efforts on all things necessary for either mitigation or future prevention of the floods. And for those of you who might ask if I want to vote for him on the next election? Nope. Not only because the fact that he is just another under-performed governor, but my ID is a North Sulawesi ID, therefore ruling me ineligible for the Jakarta Election, and not to mention that I currently live in West Java. And to close this, remember to always spread good vibes, even in a situation like this.
No comments:
Post a Comment