Residents of ‘Devil’s Tower’ in Surabaya Face Uncertainty After Collapse
hundreds of residents of the infamous "Devil’s Tower" in Surabaya’s Banyu Urip Wetan, Sawahan District, have been displaced after the building’s roof collapsed last Wednesday, December 18. With the structure now unsafe for habitation, all residents have been forced to evacuate.
The city government of Surabaya, however, faces a dilemma in addressing the situation due to the unclear ownership history of the building. Eri Cahyadi, the Mayor of Surabaya, explained that the city cannot simply intervene without a clear understanding of the building’s origin and ownership.
Adding to the complexity is the long-standing residency of hundreds of people, some of whom have lived there for generations and even have Kartu Tanda Penduduk (KTP) cards addressed to the "Devil’s Tower". The mayor emphasized the need for caution, stating, "We cannot just do something without knowing who owns the building. It could lead to legal issues in the future."
The Mayor also noted that none of the residents have legal proof of ownership of the building. HeErr, mayor further emphasized the need for a careful and legally sound approach, stating, "We must consider the regulations carefully. We cannot take any rash actions."
Despite the residents’ plea for repair and housing assistance, the city government finds itself unable to provide definitive solutions. The Mayor acknowledged the situation, stating, "We cannot promise repairs or housing just yet. We need to calculate the possibilities first. The waiting list for public housing is already over 15,000. There’s no way we can accommodate everyone."
Camat (Sub-District Head) of Sawahan, Amiril Hidayat, advised residents to seek alternative accommodations, such as staying with relatives or renting other housing units. He echoed the city government’s stance, emphasizing the uncertain status of the building’s ownership and the lack of intervention possibilities due to its undefined asset status.
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