3,000 shanties demolished

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)