Jakarta Authorities Launch Redevelopment Plan in Kampung Bahari

Jakarta authorities have launched a comprehensive redevelopment project in Kampung Bahari, Tanjung Priok, aiming to dismantle the area’s long-standing reputation as a drug trafficking hub. The initiative combines law enforcement raids with structural urban renewal, seeking to stabilize the neighborhood by addressing both criminal activity and the socioeconomic conditions of its residents.

Multi-Agency Operation in Kampung Bahari

The operation involves a coalition of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya), the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, and the North Jakarta administration. On Sunday, November 1, 2026, a large-scale raid targeted the area, involving thousands of personnel from BNN Pusat, BNNP DKI Jakarta, Bareskrim Polri, and Polda Metro Jaya. The operation was a follow-up to a similar sweep conducted in August. This time, the tactical approach involved one team arriving via eight train carriages that stopped directly at the red zone along the tracks, while a second team sealed off the area from the direction of Jalan R.E. Martadinata. The operation was conducted without significant resistance, allowing officers to seize evidence including marijuana, ecstasy, drug-manufacturing equipment, and various weapons, ranging from sharp blades to firearms. Authorities also recovered mobile phones, laptops, drug transaction logs, and bank account books.

Infrastructure and Housing Redevelopment

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is coordinating the physical cleanup of the area, which sits adjacent to the Priok-Jakarta Kota railway line. Executive Vice President of KAI Daop 1 Jakarta, Januri, stated that the company plans to use heavy machinery as part of the effort to organize the area. This effort serves as a pilot project for broader rail-side revitalization, with future plans targeting similar areas in Kampung Bandan, Ancol, and Tanah Abang. Currently, 46 residents in Kampung Bahari are registered for housing assistance, with further additions possible depending on program allocations.

Blueprint for Clearing Illegal Railway Structures

KAI Operational Area 1 Jakarta has confirmed that the Kampung Bahari model will be the blueprint for clearing illegal structures along railway lines in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta Kota, Kampung Bandan, Ancol, and Tanah Abang. Meanwhile, Governor Pramono Anung has ordered the North Jakarta Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), alongside the military and police, to maintain a presence on the ground to oversee the transition.

Ensuring Economic Stability for Informal Workers

Pramono has directed the North Jakarta Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) to support the police-led crackdown while ensuring that the social welfare of local residents is not ignored. Kapolda Metro Jaya Komjen Dadang Hartanto emphasized that the state must facilitate economic stability for residents who rely on informal work, such as waste management, to prevent them from returning to illicit activities.

"This structuring is not intended to leave our citizens without income and confused. The state is here to facilitate that," Dadang stated on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The proposed strategy includes potential corporate social responsibility (CSR) support and assistance for those affected by the removal of structures.

Answers Regarding the Kampung Bahari Drug Operation

What is the primary goal of the Kampung Bahari operation?
The operation aims to eliminate the neighborhood’s status as a drug-trafficking center through a combination of law enforcement raids and urban redevelopment to improve living conditions.

How is the government supporting displaced residents?
PT KAI and local authorities are working to provide solutions for residents affected by the removal of structures, including plans for pendataan (data collection) regarding housing conditions and income sources.

Will this project be expanded to other areas?
Yes, PT KAI has designated this initiative as a pilot project. The agency intends to apply similar revitalization programs to other areas along the railway lines in Jakarta, including Kampung Bandan, Ancol, and Tanah Abang.

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