Bogor farmers rally for more compensation

Bogor farmers rally for more compensation

BOGOR (JP): More than 200 farmers of Rancamaya village here
went to the local mayoralty office and legislative council
yesterday to make fresh demands about their former land, now the
site of a luxury housing complex.

The dispute between farmers and developers over the 257
hectares had been settled with the help of the National
Commission on Human Rights in 1993. Farmers received compensation
for their crops cleared to make way for the establishment of the
luxury housing estate, which is equipped with a golf course.

But many claimed yesterday they were dissatisfied with the
compensation and were capitalizing on the spirit of reform to
voice their complaint.

Accompanied by several students who identified themselves as
the Front of Young Protectors of People's Rights, the farmers sat
in the mayoralty compound to listen to a free-speech forum by the
students.

Farmer Jaja, 76, said he had cultivated 8,000 square meters in
the area since 1945.

"I had a document allowing me to utilize the land, but it was
taken by an official of the subdistrict on the grounds that it
would be replaced with a new one." Jaja said the document never
materialized.

Saarim, 49, who formerly farmed on a one-hectare plot, said
all farmers were made to sign a document in 1990 although they
did not understand its purpose.

In 1992, crops cultivated by the local farmers were bulldozed,
he said.

The following year, Jaja and Saarim were given Rp 200,000 and
Rp 400,000 respectively in compensation for their crops.

Meeting

Led by resident Chepy Sudrajat, five representatives of the
farmers were later received by Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi. During
the meeting, which was also attended by Bogor legislative council
speaker Eman Akman, Eddy said he was unfamiliar with the dispute.

He admitted he was the deputy Bogor regent when the dispute
erupted, but claimed "I did not know much about it.

"It's better for you to ask about the matter to the commission
on human rights. Don't ask me anything about it as I'm afraid
I'll make mistakes".

Chepy and the other representatives pledged to visit Bogor
Regent Eddie Yoso Martadipura and the human rights commission to
discuss the case. "But we don't know when," Chepy said.

He was among residents entrusted to settle the case in the
early 1990s, but he was in jail at the time the settlement was
reached. He was found guilty of defaming a director of PT
Suryamas Duta Makmur, the developer of the elite housing complex.

"I was jailed twice, the first time for one year and the
second for seven months," Chepy said. (24/jun/hhr)