Demolition of illegal buildings

Demolition of illegal buildings

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday that the current operation to reduce the number of illegal buildings, street vendors and squatters in the capital should be continued despite an appeal from city councilors that the operation be suspended during the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan.

The governor said there were signs that the office was slowing down its efforts to handle the problem, something he said was apparent from an increase in the number of squatters, street vendors and illegal buildings over the past two months.

"The city administration should take firm action against them as early as possible while the number is still small," Surjadi said.

Citing an example Surjadi said the number of illegal buildings along the banks of the Ciliwung in Manggarai, South Jakarta, had increased.

"Those houses must be demolished as soon as possible because if we wait until their number is bigger it will be a big problem," he added.

Recently, members of the city council urged the city administration not to continue with public order operations, such as the demolition of illegal buildings and land appropriation, during the current Moslem fasting month Ramadhan. (yns)