Administration probes land status

Administration probes land status

JAKARTA (JP): Bogor administration is checking into the status of a plot of land in the Cipambuan village, Citeureup district, bulldozed by developer PT M.P. to make way for the building of a real estate and golf course.

"The investigation is being conducted to make sure whether or not some of the land belongs to area residents," Denny M. Moehry, the spokesman for the administration said, told Antara yesterday.

Denny said villagers had turned part of the land into a plant garden. "They have also built several residential houses."

According to Antara the authorities had ordered the developer to stop land clearing activities in the area in an effort to enable both sides (developer and residents) to settle their problem. The order was ignored as the developer reportedly bulldozed the houses without any prior notification.

The demolished houses are owned by villagers who refuse to move away and have turned down an offer of compensation from the company because it was considered too low.

The developer set the compensation fee at Rp 25,000 per square meter plus Rp 250 for each meter of building. The villagers have reportedly asked for more because the price of nearby land has reached between Rp 50,000 and Rp 100,000 per square meter.(bas)