'Becak' drivers seek Rp 26b compensation from Sutiyoso
'Becak' drivers seek Rp 26b compensation from Sutiyoso
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Central Jakarta District Court began hearing a civil case
on Thursday filed against Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, Jakarta
Police Chief Gen. Ins. Sofjan Jacoeb and Jakarta Military Command
Chief Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, in relation to the crackdowns
against becak (pedicab) drivers and street vendors.
Through the class action, 54 plaintiffs are demanding
compensation totaling Rp 26 billion, and that the governor allow
them to operate with a guarantee for their security.
They claim to represent 15,000 poor people who lost their jobs
and homes during operations launched by the city administration,
backed by the police, since July this year.
Most of the plaintiffs are pedicab drivers, street vendors and
street singers who live in slums here.
Eight people acted as lawyers for the plaintiffs. They were
Rasdullah, Musimah, Nasro Haris, Siti Sopiah, Hanifah, FX. Wikani
and Sadar.
"The evictions, which resulted in the plaintiffs losing their
jobs and homes, were unfair and inhumane," Hanifah, one of the
representatives, read out the legal suit.
Not only did the evictions affect them physically but also
mentally, as they have felt threatened while trying to earn a
living, Hanifah said.
"Although the plaintiffs are poor, they deserve protection
while doing their jobs or sleeping in their homes like any other
citizen in the city," he said, to the applause of some 160
supporters and several Urban Poor Consortium activists who
attended the hearing.
According to the suit, the city administration planned to
remove pedicabs, street vendors and street singers, and demolish
slums around the city during the operations held from July to
December.
The operations were supported by the Jakarta District Police
and the Jakarta Military Command.
The administration deployed some 4,100 public order officers,
600 police officers and 150 military officers for the operations.
"While expelling the poor, the officers used weapons that
caused serious injuries to the victims," said Rasdullah.
He also accused the governor of not providing alternative jobs
and housing as promised before conducting the operations.
Presiding Judge I Nengah Suriada adjourned the trial until
next week to hear the defense statement from the accused's
lawyers.