Bekasi authorities demolish illegal buildings along riverbanks

Authorities in the Bekasi region of Indonesia have conducted large-scale enforcement actions to remove illegal structures built along riverbanks and irrigation channels.

In Bekasi City, the Department of Spatial Planning cleared approximately 40 illegal buildings along the banks of Kali Harun in the Jatirahayu area. Officials stated that the process followed legal procedures, including three rounds of warning letters and a 14-day period for residents to dismantle the structures voluntarily.

Simultaneously, in Bekasi Regency, the Satpol PP (Civil Service Police Unit) demolished hundreds of illegal buildings along the 7.6-kilometer SS Balong Tua secondary channel spanning the Sukatani and Tambelang districts. A joint force of 300 personnel, including the TNI and Polri, was deployed to manage the operation. Officials reported that 257 illegal structures were identified, with some owners opting for self-demolition while others required heavy machinery. The operation aims to support agricultural irrigation normalization and restore state-owned assets. While some residents raised concerns regarding compensation, authorities emphasized that the enforcement is necessary to uphold land-use regulations.