Kenari kiosks torn down<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Officers of the Central Jakarta public order
\noffice torn down hundreds of kiosks at the Kenari market despite
\na court decision to postpone the removal.<\/p>\n
The kiosks removed Saturday were those which survived a fire
\non July 12. At least 100 of 452 kiosks were destroyed on the site
\non Jl. Salemba Raya.<\/p>\n
The market in which 377 traders last operated has been a
\npopular electronics market since the 1970s.<\/p>\n
Traders argued with the public order officers and one of them,
\nMerry, was repeatedly slapped on the face as she continued to
\nshout. Police held her as she tried to fight public order
\nofficers. Her mouth was bleeding.<\/p>\n
\"Where is the law? They can bulldoze me to death,\" Merry
\ncried.<\/p>\n
The demolishing of the kiosks was based on a municipality
\ndecision to renovate the market following the fire. The mayoralty
\nhad ordered traders to move or else face demolition.<\/p>\n
Traders sued the mayor through the Jakarta Administrative
\nCourt on the grounds that they were occupying disputed land.<\/p>\n
The city-owned market company PD Pasar Jaya says the 7,000
\nsquare meter plot belongs to them while the claim is contested by
\nthe state-owned railway company, Perumka.<\/p>\n
The Court decided on Nov. 6 that demolition should be
\npostponed pending a consultation with traders, Perumka and Pasar
\nJaya.<\/p>\n
Merry said she had agreed to move to one of the temporary
\nkiosks set up by Pasar Jaya but said she was not given a key to
\nthe kiosk.<\/p>\n
The company set up 100 makeshift kiosks prioritized for the
\nfire victims.<\/p>\n
Another trader said he and other traders have paid rental fees
\nto Perumka, and taxes to the Senen district office.<\/p>\n
\"How come the officers say we are illegal traders?\" Yusuf
\nDarmawan asked.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Pasar Jaya spokesman Lihardin Sipayung said Perumka
\nonly owned 231 square meters near the site.<\/p>\n
Pasar Jaya says it acquired the plot in 1966 from a government
\nbody then called the People's Economic Agency. The Agency had
\nacquired the plot from the Dutch colonial government.<\/p>\n
Perumka's land, which was a parking lot at the market, would
\nbe affected by a road-widening project, Lihardin said.<\/p>\n
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has appointed a private contractor,
\nPT Bina Citra Tata Swasti, to rebuild the Kenari market.<\/p>\n
The new market will become a four-story building worth Rp 5
\nbillion (US$2.12 million).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in North Jakarta, Teluk Gong subdistrict housewives
\nand children screamed as public order officers pulled down their
\nhouses. Officers said the homes were illegal and the residents
\nhad been frequently warned.<\/p>\n
But residents said the officials gave them no time at all to
\nprepare themselves. (jun)<\/p>",
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