ABRI member demolishes villa

BOGOR (JP): A Jakarta-based general has set an example for other Armed Forces personnel by demolishing his illegal villa in Puncak.

Bogor mayoralty spokesman Denny M. Moechry confirmed an ABRI official had demolished his villa in response to the government's campaign to save the water catchment area, up stream of Puncak, reduced by the illegal building of villas.

At least 150 of the 300 illegal villas have been demolished, Denny said.

"We randomly choose which illegal villas to demolish, to encourage owners to demolish their own," he said.

But officials were reluctant to demolish villas belonging to the "powerful". "So we hope other Armed Forces members will follow the general's example," he said.

Denny said the recent spate of demolition had raised the mayorality's income from issuing building permits.

"The number of people who ask for building permits has increased." (jun/24)