More than 100 protest BII over land appropriation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Over 100 people from the Sawangan area in Bogor,
\n60 kilometers south of Jakarta, marched to Bank Internasional
\nIndonesia's (BII) headquarters on Jl. MH Thamrin yesterday
\nmorning protesting land appropriation.<\/p>\n
The protesters accused the bank's commissioner Eka Tjipta
\nWidjaja of illegally appropriating their land.<\/p>\n
The protesters accused Eka Tjipta of taking their land in
\nSawangan, an area known for its large golf course, by "forging
\nthe legal land documents."<\/p>\n
One protester, Amat Sayuti, said his family was expelled from
\ntheir land in 1994. He demanded to see copies of the tycoon's
\nland ownership documents.<\/p>\n
The protesters alleged PT Cisadane Perdana, a private company
\nowned by three Indonesian businessmen including Eka Tjipta,
\nillegally took over their land in Sawangan area.<\/p>\n
The company's other owners are Lippo Group boss Mochtar Riady,
\nand Muk'min Ali Gunawan, a Panin Group director.<\/p>\n
Eka Tjipa owns the Sinar Mas Group which controls BII.<\/p>\n
Cisadane Perdana is developing a housing complex on the
\ndisputed land.<\/p>\n
BII spokesman Shaferi Anwar, who received the protesters, said
\nEka Tjipta was in India on business.<\/p>\n
Shaferi said the bank was not directly involved with the land
\ndispute. "No bank is allowed to deal with land business," Shaferi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said Eka Tjipta had many business interests besides BII.<\/p>\n
Shaferi promised to convey the protesters' grievances to Eka
\nWidjaja.<\/p>\n
Police Captain Chairul of the Menteng precinct, Central
\nJakarta, was at the meeting between the protesters and Shaferi.<\/p>\n
BII vice president Okkie Monterie was quoted by AFP as saying
\nhe suspected outside forces were behind the protest.<\/p>\n
"We are a listed public company. Do you believe we would buy a
\npiece of land without investigating the situation of the land. We
\nhave lawyers to do that. We are a professional institution," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
About 20 police officers, soldiers and private security guards
\nwere at the peaceful protest. Many construction workers from
\nnearby buildings joined in the protest.(07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-than-100-protest-bii-over-land-appropriation-1447893297",
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