Residents protest over river project<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two hundred residents protested outside the
\nMangga Dua Selatan subdistrict office in Central Jakarta on
\nWednesday, demanding a postponement of compensation payments for
\nthe Ciliwung River normalization project.<\/p>\n
The residents came from four neighborhoods to be affected by
\nthe project, which aims to clean up the longest river in Jakarta.
\nThe project officially started in 1994.<\/p>\n
At risk are 109 houses and plots of land, according to the
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
They complained that the project and plans for compensation
\nwere not conducted transparently.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the residents, Sukarman, said the municipality
\nannounced two years ago that their area would be included in the
\nproject but there had never been a clear explanation about how
\nthe project would affect their lives.<\/p>\n
\"All we've heard are rumors. Some officials come and go and
\nexplain to us a bit about the program but that's it.\"<\/p>\n
Sukarman said the residents need a comprehensive explanation
\nabout the project as construction along the riverbanks started
\nthree months ago.<\/p>\n
\"Some workers have been dredging the river and repairing the
\nriverbanks. If the municipality intends to continue this project,
\nwe want details about compensation for our land and houses.\"<\/p>\n
Reports said the land compensation rate ranges between Rp
\n50,000 (US$4.5) and Rp 200,000 per square meter.<\/p>\n
\"This is confusing. We've never been asked to properly discuss
\nthe compensation rate,\" Sukarman said.<\/p>\n
The residents demanded that any payment of compensation for
\ntheir properties be postponed until after the Idul Fitri holiday.
\n(edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/residents-protest-over-river-project-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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