Social Movement Participation Following a Flood Disaster in Jakarta, Our Capital City
The outlooks of our capital city was really different when it was under water recently. The news was spread very quickly. Flooding in Jakarta since January 17, 2013 has paralyzed Capital anomalies. Even the First Family in Jakarta, Jakarta’s new governor Joko Widodo, had to go down to lay his hands immediately. Many experts talk solely to provide the solutions for the tranquility of the capital city. Even the issue of moving the Capital city to other place was came out. This event has become a topic of public concern.
Many squeezed solutions will be proposed to make our capital city to be more conducive. One of which is the ‘Lubang Biopori’ a hole which has diameter about 10-30 cm, as invented by Bogor Agricultural University. This innovation has been tested, but as the numbers of such holes are very little, therefore the movement to intensify the ‘Lubang Biopori’ should be planned. The Jakarta municipality has to focus in the project of ‘lubang biopori’ as the solution for flood mitigation in addition to the restoration of the worn out canal dike. Lubang Biopori should be built along Streets, parks, and other corners of the city. Biopori should be given first priority to prevent Jakarta from flood.
Actually, the national calamity is not only good for national news, but it will also functioning as the check whether the solidarity for others among the community members are high. Especially as Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, thus, it is the development of this metropolitan areas is the responsibility of the entire nation. We need social participation to restore the economic stagnant due to the current floods, as it will affect all the country’s economy.
“Bidik Misi” Scholarship awardees of Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia organized Peduli Banjir (Flood Cares) compaign to show their solidarity for the flood victims of Jakarta. Educational program coincided with fundraising was implemented around the Darmaga campus. It took only 6 hours to collect used clothes, cleaning tools, stationery, and cashes.
What we learned from such program, it was a form of our reflection. How deep is our concern to others will be entrusted. Students who have financial limitations, they are only able to organize solidarity movement for 6 hours to share the beauty of life. It is expected, the student program will examplify and arouse the hearth of people from Sabang to Merauke always concern to others for a better Indonesia. (Wied).
