Disadvantaged people rally, demand halt to evictions

Disadvantaged people rally, demand halt to evictions

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Hundreds of poor Jakartans staged a peaceful rally on Friday,
demanding the Jakarta administration stop evictions and instead
acknowledge their right to live in the capital.

Carrying banners and placards, the protesters, who included
evictees, squatters, sidewalk vendors, street children and
musicians, called for fair treatment.

"We are not criminals. Why is it difficult to find something
to eat in our own country?" said one of the placards.

Men, women and children, wearing headbands with "Stop
evictions" written on them, joined voices in a bid to be heard.

Organized by the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), the protesters
took turns to make speeches and called on the administration to
be accountable for the recent string of evictions that had made
thousands homeless.

"We are citizens," said one of the speakers.

Residents of areas due for clearance, such as Muara Baru,
North Jakarta, also joined in the demonstration. Dela, who has
lived in front of the Muara Baru fish auction center for almost
20 years, said, "I have come to defend my rights and to try to
persuade Governor Sutiyoso (to cancel the eviction)."

Another squatter demanded fair financial compensation for the
evictees. "We're not asking to be paid for the land, just the
buildings," he said. He decried the Rp 500,000 (US$58.82) in
compensation offered by the administration as "oppression money."

The protesters also blamed businesspeople for the evictions,
saying they were the real influence that lay behind the
administration's insistence on land clearance.

The speeches were interspersed with songs by street musicians
and a short play, which ended with the burning of an effigy of
Governor Sutiyoso, to onlookers' cheers and jeers. The styrofoam
statue had red horns on its head and wore a brown safari suit.

UPC coordinator Wardah Hafidz asked the administration for a
six-month moratorium on evictions to give all related parties a
chance to sit together and try and reach a compromise.

"This city has to be for everyone. This is not a matter of one
losing to another," she told reporters after the demonstrators
dispersed themselves quietly as the time for Friday prayers drew
close.

She also urged that proper shelter be provided for those who
have been evicted and promised new dwellings.

Another rally is planned to be held on Dec. 10, although the
location is not determined yet. UPC also plans to demand the
Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure clarify its
role and what measures will be taken in future evictions.

According to UPC, 16 evictions have taken place in Jakarta
this year. In the last four months 15,000 people have lost their
homes. The Jakarta Public Order Agency recently cleared away
sidewalk vendors in Pondok Labu, Kebayoran Lama, Pasar Minggu and
Mampang Prapatan, all in South Jakarta, causing thousands to lose
their source of living.