In the past it was regarded as unimportant, just a lifeless piece of construction which helped regulate the flow of water in the river. But now the Sunter water gate has taken on new meaning for the people of Jakarta.

You could almost say it was holy. This pile of steel and concrete, which can be raised and lowered to regulate the flow of water in the river, is regarded by many as the key to the devastating floods that have inundated Jakarta.

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