Court ruling sought in land swap deal

JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration is seeking a ruling from the Supreme Court to end a land swap deal involving SMP 56 junior high school in Melawai, South Jakarta.

The official in charge of city assets, Moerdiman, said on Wednesday the administration, with the legal offices of the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Finance, will submit a petition with the Supreme Court next week.

The administration is seeking approval from the Supreme Court to proceed with the deal with developer PT Tata Disantara, a company owned by former manpower minister Abdul Latief, because the land swap has led to a legal dispute between Governor Sutiyoso and several teachers and parents, who have alleged corruption.

Commenting on a new lawsuit filed by former teacher Nurlaila, who has demanded the cancellation of the land swap, the head of the City Legal Office, Deded Sukendar, said the suit would not affect the deal. "They are not a party to the deal ... They are just merely a group of people who were not satisfied with the land swap process." --JP