Villagers may own homes at last<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso promised on Tuesday to
\nallow residents of a small industry village in Pulogadung, East
\nJakarta, to gain ownership rights to their houses.<\/p>\n
\"I've consulted with the City Council and we agreed to fulfill
\nyour request,\" the governor told residents who had gathered to
\nwelcome him to their village.<\/p>\n
Many people burst into tears of joy upon hearing the
\ngovernor's remarks. Some of them bowed down and others kissed the
\nhands of Sutiyoso and other high-ranking officials accompanying
\nthe governor on the visit.<\/p>\n
\"It (the governor's promise) is a surprise for us. We didn't
\nthink the governor would fulfill our request today,\" Oman
\nAbdurahman, one of the community leaders, said.<\/p>\n
The 44-hectare village, which was built in stages from 1981 to
\n1994, is home to 427 small business operators with 436 houses.
\nVarious products are made here, including leather goods,
\nfurniture, clothes and shoes.<\/p>\n
The houses were sold to the traders in 1986, with monthly
\ninstallments of between Rp 40,000 and Rp 50,000 per unit for a
\nperiod of 15 years.<\/p>\n
However, Oman said the purchase scheme was later stopped and
\nlocal residents were allowed only to rent the properties in the
\narea.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso told reporters that the change of ownership status
\nwas needed to encourage the development of home industries in the
\narea.<\/p>\n
\"But I hope they will be patient enough to wait for the city
\ncouncilors to finish deliberating with a bylaw on the status
\nchange,\" he said. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/villagers-may-own-homes-at-last-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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