Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono, invited all people to care for and protect the Ciliwung River in a bid to minimize flooding.

"Floods can be minimized if Ciliwung is kept clean. Don't throw garbage into the river," he asserted when he joined the Ciliwung Rowing Festival, Sunday (12/4).

He hoped that all parties could understand that the Ciliwung River is an asset that must be maintained and improved together. Besides minimizing flooding, this river could also be used for sports, entertainment, and so forth.

"We have to take care of Ciliwung and fix it together. Let's support the normalization of the Ciliwung River," he asserted.

On the other hand, Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono who initiated the 2022 Ciliwung Rowing Festival, explained that people care more about the Ciliwung River. The Jakarta Acting Governor plans to hold a Getek (Bamboo Raft) Ornamental Contest next year.

"This event will be accompanied by traditional boats whose main aim is to properly maintain the Ciliwung River, thus it becomes a barometer for the maintenance of other rivers in Indonesia," he said.

Every event on the river would be held once every four or six months.

As for the information, the Ciliwung Rowing Festival is being held by PUPR and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) ministers with support from the Jakarta Government.

There are around 50 rowers, whereby the start takes from the Ciliwung stream in Pasar Rumput, Manggarai, South Jakarta, to BNI Airport Station, Central Jakarta.