Eighty-five families in E. Jakarta face eviction
JAKARTA (JP): Eighty-five families living in Cipinang Besar Selatan, East Jakarta, urged the City Council yesterday to help them obtain fair compensation for the homes they have to surrender for a development project.
The residents, who occupy a 7,333-square meter plot of land in the Jatinegara district, received an ultimatum on Aug. 22 from Jatinegara District Chief Agus Salim Utut.
"We were told to move voluntarily in seven days or security and order officers would bulldoze our houses," Bambang Widjanarko, one of the affected residents, told councilors.
Bambang said 20 of the houses have been forcefully torn down just as the government "promised", even though there has been no agreement on compensation.
About 40 residents, including women and children, facing forced displacement took their protest to the council yesterday. They vowed to stay until the government gives them fair compensation.
"How come the government can order us to leave without even negotiating proper compensation?" Bambang asked.
The residents said they have occupied the land since 1991. They bought it from Mastur, a man who claimed to represent a certain PT Central Bumi Indah, the rightful owner of the property.
They told the councilors they bought the land for between Rp 150,000 (US$67) and Rp 1 million per square meter. The problem began after they were informed that PT Central Bumi Indah sold the whole area to the Harapan Kita Foundation.
Strangely, they said, despite the obvious deceit, the authorities have not take action against Mastur, who is now actively involved in trying to make the residents move.
"It is strange that Mastur threatens other residents to leave their houses," Bambang said. He added that Mastur receives backing from notorious street hoodlums.
Since the problem began, many residents have been living in fear, Bambang said. "Children's education is badly affected and most residents have no where to move to."
Fatommy Asaari, the deputy chairman of the City Council's Commission A in charge of administration, security and public order, promised that the commission will contact PT Central Bumi Indah, the Jatinegara district chief as well as Harapan Kita Foundation, to discuss the crisis.
"Just call us by telephone and say the names of irresponsible persons who may exploit the situation for their own ends," Fatommy told the residents.
Other councilors on hand were Abdoelhamid Notowidagdo, Sumari, Romulus Sihombing, Muhammad Banang, Tatang Solichin, Erna Soeparman, Rien Andriyani and Hizbiyah Rochim. (32)