JAKARTA. The National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) will support the city administration in tackling floods in the capital, according to the unit’s chief.

 “We’re launching a city forest today as part of supporting the Jakarta administration’s efforts to tackle floods. We’ll convert the lake area at our headquarters into a city forest,” Brimob Cmr. Insp. Gen. M. Rum said during the launch of the Boas Woisiri city forest at Brimob headquarters in Cimanggis, Depok, which was attended by Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday.

The city forest was named after First. Brig. Boas Woisiri, one of three Brimob members killed during a raid on terrorists in Aceh in 2010.

Green spaces in Depok are crucial as water catchment areas, the presence of which will help Jakarta – situated lower than Depok - to fight perennial flooding.

Rum added Brimob would also support the city administration if the city was hit by annual flooding.  “We will back up the Jakarta Police and provide rubber boats and personnel,” he said.

Jokowi lauded the cooperation. “Brimob has already helped the city a lot during this year’s floods,” he said. In January, Jakarta was hit by flooding, with dozens of people killed and thousands displaced. (The Jakarta Post)

Editor: Asnil Amri