'Becak' drivers seek Rp 26b compensation from Sutiyoso<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta District Court began hearing a civil case
\non Thursday filed against Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, Jakarta
\nPolice Chief Gen. Ins. Sofjan Jacoeb and Jakarta Military Command
\nChief Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, in relation to the crackdowns
\nagainst becak (pedicab) drivers and street vendors.<\/p>\n
Through the class action, 54 plaintiffs are demanding
\ncompensation totaling Rp 26 billion, and that the governor allow
\nthem to operate with a guarantee for their security.<\/p>\n
They claim to represent 15,000 poor people who lost their jobs
\nand homes during operations launched by the city administration,
\nbacked by the police, since July this year.<\/p>\n
Most of the plaintiffs are pedicab drivers, street vendors and
\nstreet singers who live in slums here.<\/p>\n
Eight people acted as lawyers for the plaintiffs. They were
\nRasdullah, Musimah, Nasro Haris, Siti Sopiah, Hanifah, FX. Wikani
\nand Sadar.<\/p>\n
\"The evictions, which resulted in the plaintiffs losing their
\njobs and homes, were unfair and inhumane,\" Hanifah, one of the
\nrepresentatives, read out the legal suit.<\/p>\n
Not only did the evictions affect them physically but also
\nmentally, as they have felt threatened while trying to earn a
\nliving, Hanifah said.<\/p>\n
\"Although the plaintiffs are poor, they deserve protection
\nwhile doing their jobs or sleeping in their homes like any other
\ncitizen in the city,\" he said, to the applause of some 160
\nsupporters and several Urban Poor Consortium activists who
\nattended the hearing.<\/p>\n
According to the suit, the city administration planned to
\nremove pedicabs, street vendors and street singers, and demolish
\nslums around the city during the operations held from July to
\nDecember.<\/p>\n
The operations were supported by the Jakarta District Police
\nand the Jakarta Military Command.<\/p>\n
The administration deployed some 4,100 public order officers,
\n600 police officers and 150 military officers for the operations.<\/p>\n
\"While expelling the poor, the officers used weapons that
\ncaused serious injuries to the victims,\" said Rasdullah.<\/p>\n
He also accused the governor of not providing alternative jobs
\nand housing as promised before conducting the operations.<\/p>\n
Presiding Judge I Nengah Suriada adjourned the trial until
\nnext week to hear the defense statement from the accused's
\nlawyers.<\/p>",
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