PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government (Pemdakan) will regulate 43 illegal buildings standing on state land in the strategic project area of the Hulu River Dam (BSH) 0 Kali Cikarang and Kali Cikarang Bekasi Laut (CBL).

This clean-up was carried out to support the construction of water gates, intake channels, and rehabilitation of the Srengseng Hilir secondary irrigation network which covers the sub-districts of West Cikarang, North Cikarang, and Cibitung, as a concrete step to overcome annual flooding due to land conversion and narrowing of riverbanks.

Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang stated that flood management cannot be postponed and needs to be carried out quickly and in a structured manner.

He emphasized the importance of riverbank management as part of the local government's commitment to reducing the impact of flooding while implementing the direction of the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi.

"I don't want the era of Ade Asep to see more illegal buildings, especially on state land or irrigation land. The impact is clear, in addition to flooding, it also causes disorder and narrowing of riverbanks," he said in a preparatory meeting for the order in the KH Makmun Nawawi Meeting Room, Bekasi Regency, Thursday (9/4/2025).

Head of the Bekasi Regency Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), Surya Wijaya, explained that his party had sent an official appeal to residents since February 25, 2025 via letter numbered 300.1.1/260/SatpolPP/2025.

The validation and verification process was also carried out on February 27, 2025. The first warning letter was sent on April 8, 2025 and will be followed by a second warning letter on April 11 and a third warning letter on April 14, 2025.

"We will carry out the demolition plan on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Of the 43 buildings to be demolished, two are in Kali Jaya Village, West Cikarang District, 35 buildings in Suka Jaya Village, Cibitung District, and six buildings in Karang Asih Village, North Cikarang District," he said.

According to him, most of the building owners have signed a statement on stamped paper, stating that they are aware that their buildings are standing on state land and are willing to demolish them independently. Only two people have not signed the statement.

To support the demolition process, the Bekasi District Government will deploy 343 joint personnel from the National Police, TNI, Satpol PP, and a number of regional apparatuses such as the Environmental Service, Fire Department, Health Service, and others. In addition, heavy equipment will also be deployed to speed up the building control process.

As a form of social responsibility, the Bekasi District Government also involved the Social Service to collect data and provide attention to affected residents who do not have a permanent place to live.

This regulation is expected to not only facilitate the implementation of irrigation infrastructure projects, but also create order in spatial planning on riverbanks.

With cross-sector collaboration and full community support, this effort is a strategic step in reducing flood risk, strengthening environmental resilience, and encouraging sustainable and orderly regional development. (DiskominfoKab.Bekasi/UPI)