Emergency funds to prevent river blockage and protect nearby homes and mosque in high-risk area
The Batam City Government has allocated Rp1.7 billion (approximately S$137,700) to build a gabion wall in Bengkong Sadai following a landslide that damaged homes and infrastructure in early April.
On April 9, 2025, Batam’s Secretary of Regional Government, Jefridin, announced that the city would construct a gabion wall to prevent further damage and protect waterways following a landslide in Bengkong Sadai. The mitigation project is expected to cost Rp1.7 billion (approximately S$137,700) and will draw from Batam’s BTT emergency fund allocation.
The landslide damaged two houses and one mosque, prompting immediate response from Batam’s Department of Social Affairs, which delivered basic food aid to the affected residents. “This is a critical step to prevent the river beneath the landslide from being blocked,” said Jefridin during a disaster response coordination meeting at the Batam Mayor’s Office.
The city has already conducted a site survey together with local authorities. Jefridin added that failure to act quickly may put Bengkong Indah, a neighbouring subdistrict, at risk of flooding and further disruption.
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that all funding processes comply with regulatory standards. The gabion wall initiative, managed through BTT, must undergo technical cost assessments by the relevant city departments before disbursement.
Gabion walls—wire cages filled with rocks—are commonly used to stabilize slopes and riverbanks. In this case, it is intended to reinforce the landslide-affected area and prevent future erosion during heavy rains.
The coordination meeting was attended by heads of key agencies including BPBD Chief Agus Hendri, BPKAD Head Abd. Malik, and representatives from the Departments of Housing, Social Affairs, and Legal Affairs. Their presence underlined the urgency and cross-departmental nature of the mitigation effort.
This move reflects Batam’s growing focus on sustainable and proactive disaster response infrastructure amid increasing weather-related risks in coastal and hilly regions.
Batam’s swift allocation of emergency funds for landslide mitigation in Bengkong Sadai demonstrates a proactive approach to disaster resilience. The investment not only protects residents and public facilities but also underscores the city’s commitment to infrastructure safety—relevant for neighbouring communities and regional planners across the Riau Islands and Singapore-facing territories.
Sources: RRI (2025), Alur News (2025)
Keywords: Bengkong Sadai, Gabion Wall, Landslide Response, Batam City Budget, River Protection, Emergency Infrastructure, Jefridin Batam
