Bekasi reprimands housing firms

BEKASI (JP): The Bekasi administration has reminded hundreds of housing companies in the regency of their responsibility to build public facilities.

Building firms are ordered to build such facilities as they are vital to help improve the quality of the city's housing development plan, according to circular No.648/2721/Bappeda, dated Oct. 11, 1994 signed by deputy regent to Bekasi H. Dede Satibi.

The circular reads: based on the Minister of Home Affairs' Decree No. 1 1987, these facilities should equal about 40 percent of housing complexes.

Three quarters of the 40 percent area is earmarked for the establishment of general facilities, including gutters, water networks, security stations and roads, while the remaining quarter is for social facilities such as mosques and school buildings.

Data at the Bekasi administration shows that out of 296 low- cost and luxurious housing complexes in the regency, developers of only ten complexes have transferred the ownership of the public facilities to the regional government.

The circular was made public in response to the increasing number of complaints filed by housing complex residents over the limited availability and poor condition of such facilities.

Many residents in housing complexes in Bekasi Jaya Indah, Perumnas II Setia Makmur, Jati Mulya and Pondok Timur Indah, for example, frequently complain of damages to roads in their area.

They acknowledge that repairs were once done but the quality was less than expected, thereby resulting in further damage over a brief period of time.

Confusion as to who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of these facilities is apparent by the vagueness of replies when there are complaints.

The administration simply stated that housing developers have not yet transferred the facilities to the regency, while many developers only make promises. (12/hhr)