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)