3,000 shanties demolished

JAKARTA (JP): More than 3,000 shanties built illegally on green belt sites and riverbanks in North Jakarta have been torn down during the last four years, with the owners receiving no compensation money.

The head of the mayoralty public order office, Boy Firman S, said yesterday that demolition of illegal houses would continue until the end of this month.

"The demolition is part of the mayoralty's efforts to educate people how to live in order," Firman was quoted by Antara as saying.

The long term target of the clean up is to make the area an attractive northern gateway to the city.

Firman said that at least 400 illegal buildings would be torn down in Papanggo. "The squatters' shanties are now standing on eight-hectares of land belonging to the logistics agency," he said. (sur)