1,500 shanties face demolition

The West Jakarta mayoralty administration is threatening to demolish 1,500 shanties built without permits along the Cisadane riverbank.

The head of the mayoralty Security and Public Order Office, H. Karsidin, said that he had given the owners until the end of October to tear down the shanties or face demolition.

Karsidin was quoted by Antara as saying over the weekend that the mayoralty administration in April issued a demolition order, which notified the owners to move to elsewhere within a week.

In order to enable the owners to find other places, the mayoralty administration has postponed the deadline until the end of October.

"We hope that the owners voluntarily dismantle their houses and move to other areas at their own accord within the new deadline because we have given them ample time," Karsidin said.

The shanties which will be affected are located in seven subdistricts in the mayoralty, including Semanan, Duri Kosambi, Rawa Buaya, Kedaung-Kaliangke, North Kedoya, Kapuk and Angke.

Karsidin said his office also plans to clean sidewalks and streets around the Trisakti University, the Tarumanegara University and the Citraland Mall shopping center in Grogol from vendors.

According to Karsidin in the future motorists will not be allowed to park their vehicles on the aforesaid areas. (arf)