Jakarta – Three flood victims have accused the city administration in court of failing to anticipate and mitigate the February floods and neglecting to assisting victims in the aftermath of the disaster.
Speaking in support of a class-action lawsuit filed against Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and the five city mayors, Endang Supriyadi, Onyon Hamid and Jahidin told the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday that they never received any warnings before the floods or assistance when torrential rains caused flooding earlier this year.
Onyon, 55, a resident of Sungai Bambu subdistrict in East Jakarta, said no one in his neighborhood received any assistance from the city administration. He said he only received food and blankets handed out in his community by non-governmental organization the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC).
Dozens died and thousands of residents were displaced in the flooding, which inundated 70 percent of the city.
In early April, 11 residents representing the flood victims filed a class action lawsuit with the help of UPC against the government for their perceived failure to deal with the disaster.
The residents are claiming Rp 5 billion (US$551,703) for a community compensation fund, Rp 100 million for psychological distress and Rp 51.7 million in personal damages. They are also demanding a public apology from the city administration.
According to Onyon, there was no evacuation drill before the floods and no assistance was given during the disaster. "I never knew the number for the flood control post or the number to dial for assistance."
Onyon said he and his children were unable to work for 15 days during the floods and suffered flood-related illnesses. He said his motorcycle, which he used to earn a living, was damaged after being submerged in water while his vehicle ownership letter was destroyed by flood waters.
The administration earlier said it had done its best to anticipate and handle the floods by publicizing and running a number of disaster mitigation campaigns last year aimed at increasing public awareness. The administration also said it had mobilized rescue missions during and after the floods.
Another flood victim called to testify, Endang Supriyadi, 46, told the court he had never heard of any disaster mitigation campaigns from the Kebon Manggis subdistrict office in East Jakarta, where he is a resident.
"Many children in my neighborhood suffered from diarrhea during and after the floods, but since no free medication service was available, they had to visit the Jatinegara community health clinic where each patient had to pay Rp 4,000," said Endang, whose semi-permanent house was washed away in the floods.
Presiding judge Moefri adjourned the hearing until next week, giving the plaintiffs another chance to present their evidence and call witnesses.
Efendi, one of the plaintiffs, said outside the courtroom that the group was planning to present two more flood victims as well as an environmental expert to testify at the next hearing.