The Face of RPTRA Kalijodo After the Death of Ahok-Djarot: Called Again a Prostitution Place and Very Unkempt

Former DKI Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat recently visited the Child Friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA) and Kalijodo Green Open Space (RTH), North Jakarta. 

Djarot's disappointment was implied during his visit. That moment was also uploaded by Djarot on his personal Instagram account on Tuesday (4/4/2023). 

He highlighted that the public facilities he and the previous governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) built, were not maintained. 

"Kalijodo after five years ago we fixed it into RTH-RPTRA. Sales stalls are crowded, cracks in buildings, not maintained and mountains of trash. Sad and disappointed," Djarot wrote on his Instagram account, quoted on Sunday (9/4/ 2023). 

The new face of the Kalijodo prostitution area which was changed to the Ahok and Djarot regimes seems to have disappeared with the recent polemics. 

The polemic of prostitution that recurs and the facilities are not maintained

Child Friendly Integrated Public Spaces (RPTRA) and Green Open Spaces (RTH) stand in Kalijodo. This was in accordance with Ahok's wish at that time. 

RPTRA and RTH Kalijodo were also beautified by placing four segments of the broken stone of the Berlin Wall nicknamed "Sculpture Through the Boundary" equipped with colorful garden lights. 

Not only that, a magnificent mosque with a Betawi style building has stood firmly opposite the RPTRA which Ahok inaugurated in February 2017, named the Jami Al-Mubarokah Mosque. 

However, the Kalijodo area is said to be a place for prostitution again. This suspicion arose when the head of the DPRD DKI Jakarta, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, said that Kalijodo is currently being used as a place for prostitution and night entertainment. 

"What's happening now? You can see it's back there, the place is like that again (prostitution and nightlife)," said Prasetyo at the Gaspol event which was broadcast on the YouTube channel Kompas.com, Tuesday (27/9/2022). 

According to Prasetyo, after controlling Ahok, Kalijodo had turned into a youth icon, where they could carry out positive activities. 

Another problem arose again after Djarot visited the Kalijodo area. He was disappointed because he felt that these public facilities were not cared for by the governor after him, namely Anies Baswedan. 

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"Well, yes, it's been five years since Mr. Anies didn't take care of him," said Djarot. 

Not only is the wall cracked, in the video several parts of the ornaments at the RPTRA and RTH Kalijodo are also recorded which are badly damaged. The asphalt layer in the skateboard area is also peeling off. 

Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono immediately ordered the City Parks and Forest Service of DKI Jakarta to repair and maintain damaged buildings and facilities. 

Turning point seven years ago

Kalijodo has changed 20 days after the accident of the Toyota Fortuner driven by Riki Agung (24) on Monday (8/2/2016) morning. 

Behind the wheel, Riki's eyes could no longer see clearly. Meanwhile, the car containing nine people he was driving continued at a speed of around 100 kilometers per hour. 

Until exactly KM 15 Jalan Daan Mogot towards Tangerang, the black SUV type car hit the motorbike in front of it. 

Riki immediately woke up. When he stepped on the brakes, he stepped on the accelerator instead. He could not control his car that swerved to the left and hit a road marking. 

The car skidded to the middle of the road. Four people died and seven other people, including Riki, were seriously injured. 

Two of the people who died were motorcyclists, the rest were passengers in the car. The accident happened just in time for Chinese New Year. 

After being investigated, it was found that Riki was not ready to drive a car. The private university student had just drunk 10 glasses of liquor at the Kalijodo brothel. 

From there, the existence of Kalijodo localization began to be questioned again. This incident reached the ears of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, who at that time was still active as Governor of DKI Jakarta. 

Ahok highlighted the localization of Kalijodo, which is the location where Riki drank the liquor. On Friday (12/2/2016), the North Jakarta City Government issued a circular to control the prostitution area.