Developer summoned over floods

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja ordered the South Jakarta mayor yesterday to summon the management of a private developer whose project allegedly triggers flooding in Guntur subdistrict, South Jakarta.

The governor ordered the mayor to summon the developer after the subdistrict chief complained that a project owned by PT Kuningan Persada causes problems in the residential area.

"I want the mayor to summon the developer to settle the matter. A private developer is also obliged to fulfill its social function," Surjadi said in his weekly rounds.

He also urged the subdistrict head not to be in awe of the developer.

"You have to voice your demand because you represent the people's interests. Don't be afraid just because the developer uses a Mercedes-Benz," he said.

The subdistrict head, Mugeni Sanan, told the governor that many gutters in the area do not function properly because of sloppy work done by the developer.

The gutters are obstructed with mud and garbage and as a result the area is always inundated with water when it rains, he said.

The developer plans to build a superblock on a 24-hectare plot on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta.

The project has caused various problems since 50 families refused the compensation rate offer by the developer for their land.

The developer set compensation at Rp 850,000 (US$370) per square meter and later increased it to Rp 1 million.

The residents claimed the developer forced them to accept the amount by intimidating them into leaving the site. (yns)