Proof of good intentions, maintain a promise

KABARJAWA – The owner of the illegal building on Drini Beach finally kept his promise. They dismantled the building that stands that violated the rules in the Drini Beach river since Tuesday (7/15/2025).

The building owners seemed to work since morning. They lowered the zinc roof, dismantled the wall board, and cut the supporting pole with a makeshift manual.

Demolition of illegal buildings on Drini Beach

Head of Satpol PP Gunungkidul, Edy Basuki, on Friday (7/18/2025) asserted his party continued to monitor the demolition process. It has been monitoring since Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The building owner dismantled independently. This is proof of their good intentions,” said Edy when contacted by reporters on Friday (7/18/2025)

Edy reminded that the government did not carry out forced demolition because the building owner was willing to curb itself.

However, the demolition process has not been completed. Eight buildings still leave pole and a small number of floors.

“We understand the limitations of the artisans into their obstacles. We give the concession time to the next three to five days so that the demolition is complete,” he said.

Edy described the chronology of controlling illegal buildings on Drini Beach. On May 23, 2025, the Regent of Gunungkidul and his staff held a clean Friday in the Drini Beach area. At that time, they found nine wild buildings standing on the river.

The Gunungkidul Regency Government team immediately coordinated. They called the building owner for a joint meeting. During the meeting, the building owner agreed that the demolition was carried out a maximum of 45 days after the meeting.

Before July 15, one building had been demolished by the owner. Right on the 15th, eight other buildings began to be demolished to this day.

The building owners are seen trying to complete their obligations. They lowered all merchandise from semi-permanent kiosks and moved stall equipment to their respective homes. They also cut the gazebo frame that protruded into the river.

Edy ensured, this demolition refers to the Gunungkidul Regency Regulation No. 6 of 2011 concerning RTRW 2010-2030. The regulation sets zoning space, protected areas, coastal borders of at least 100 meters, as well as regulating spatial use permits.

“We want to enforce the rules while respecting residents. This control keeps the coastal area clean and attractive to tourists,” he said.

Most of the wild buildings on Drini Beach in the form of food stalls, souvenir stalls, and zinc -roofed wood gazebos. The building stands without permission above the river flow.

In addition to violating the RTRW, the building also has the potential to cause a narrowing of the river during the rainy season.

Purpose of Control

Gunungkidul Regent, Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, emphasized the government’s commitment in curbing illegal buildings in the coastal area.

Endah stated, this control not only maintains aesthetics, but also upholds the instructions of the Governor of DIY Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X about the arrangement of the Sultan Ground Tourism Area and Land Management.

“We get an important mandate from Ngarso Dalem to organize tourist areas, including traders. Drini Beach will be a pilot project for beach structuring,” Endah said.

Endah ordered all related OPDs to check with other beaches in Gunungkidul. He asked OPD to approach the owner of the illegal building and bring order if a violation was found.

“Drini Beach is complete activities, but some spots have not been touched by community movements. We are targeting rivers in this area to anticipate flooding and maintaining the image of Gunungkidul tourism,” he explained.

In addition to the demolition of illegal buildings, the Gunungkidul Regency Government will also educate waste management to the community and coastal traders. Endah said there were still residents who threw waste directly into the river.

“DLH will provide education so that all traders care about the environment,” he said. (EF Linangkung)