115 families want to be relocated

MAJALENGKA, West Java: As many as 115 families in West Java have asked the local administration to relocate them amid fears a landslide could hit their hamlet of Tinggar in Cibodas village, Majalengka regency.

Majalengka subdistrict head Nursiwan Jaya confirmed on Saturday he had received the request from the local villagers.

"They ask us to relocate them to a safer place in Blok Ciurih, not far from their current residential areas," he said.

The hamlet of Tinggar, located in a mountainous area, is known to be highly vulnerable to landslides during the wet season.

Nursiwan said he had held talks with officials from the Majalengka regency administration and local forestry company Perhutani to discuss the relocation request as the land the villagers wanted to move to belonged to the state-owned firm.

"If the residents insist on being relocated and Perhutani agrees to exchange its land for theirs, we will be happy. This will safeguard them from possible landslides."

Adhi, a 40-year old community figure from Tinggar, said the villagers had sent several relocation requests but no action had been taken. --Antara