Ciliwung Merdeka: Reclaiming the human dignity of the poor
Under the guardianship of Sandyawan Sumardi, a social activist, a poor community living on the riverbank of Ciliwung River in the most crowded area of Jakarta has been struggling to regain its human rights. Ciliwung is the name of the river that run through Jakarta and brings floods during the rainy season, as the mountainous areas above Jakarta turn from forest and water reservoir into beautiful villas for the rich. Amidst economic hardship and dire environmental conditions, this poor and vulnerable community is has set up "Ciliwung Merdeka," or Free Ciliwung, a mobilizing platform to voice their social and political aspirations as members of the city and as Indonesian citizens. Read more.



Pada awalnya Waduk Pluit memiliki luas 80 hektare. Sekarang luas waduk tersebut menyusut menjadi 60 hektare. Penyebabnya, 20 hektare luas waduk telah disesaki bangunan ilegal. Luas genangan waduk diperkirakan berkurang dari 80 hektar menjadi sekitar 60 hektar akibat maraknya hunian liar. Waduk juga dipenuhi sampah dan limbah buangan rumah tangga. Dampak berikutnya, terjadilah pendangkalan akibat sedimentasi. Dari kedalaman awal sekitar 20 meter, kedalaman rata-rata waduk seluas 80 hektar itu hanya berkisar 1-5 meter. 
