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)