2,500 houses to be pulled down

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta mayoralty will soon demolish 2,500 shanties built by squatters on Jl. Cakung, Cilincing district.

Mayor Suprawito said yesterday that the mayoralty is offering Rp 50,000 (US$21.50) per square meter in compensation to each family that willingly quits the area.

"The mayoralty will build warehouses on the 14-hectare plot. The owners of the land have agreed to the plan," Suprawito said over the weekend.

The squatters, mostly scavengers, are opposing the city's plan and are demanding Rp 500,000 per square meter in compensation.

"The offer of Rp 50,000 is humiliating to us. The sum is only worth a piece of textile," Mukiyat, a resident, said.

He said the residents have lived there for more than 10 years. (jun)