Authorities to demolish shanties

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta authorities will demolish thousands of shanties located along 13 rivers in the area.

There will be no compensation given to the residents, said North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito over the weekend.

"The local authorities never want to bargain with illegal residents who built houses on riversides," Suprawito said.

According to him, the demolition of the huts will be carried out in stages until the end of the year.

"If the riverside residents could cause nervousness to the mayor throughout the whole year, why can't the mayor do the same thing?" asked Suprawito.

The shanties to be destroyed are located along the Kali Opak, Kali Tirem, Kali Bang Leo, Kali Jelangkeng, Kali Angke and Kali Sunter rivers.

Military and police personnel will help secure the area. (bsr)