Evicted fishermen draw lots for new homes

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

The evicted fishermen of Kali Adem in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, will apparently not enjoy the housing pledged earlier by the government, as most of the 720 units of the low-cost apartment block have been reserved by non-evictees.

"We have to draw lots to get an apartment in the apartment block that was built to resettle us. I have tried to get us all a place there but have not succeeded," said Kajidin, the chairman of the Traditional Fishermen's Union (SNT).

Kajidin, who organizes 330 fisherfolk families in Kali Adem, was speaking during a public discussion on the future of the fishermen after the eviction, held by students of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

He claimed that more than 1,000 people had put down their name to reserve one of the 720 units, the construction of which is still ongoing, "mostly the children and relatives of those who are in charge of managing the apartments".

At least 223 families who are being moved by the government to the new location in Indramayu, West Java, also complained of the projected difficult catch in cape waters because they are already used to Muara Angke bay waters.

"The government should have involved us in taking the decision to move us to Indramayu, because, as fishermen, we know more about the nature of waters there," said one of the fishermen who also attended the public discussion.

According to Endang Widayati Martono, director for housing and settlement in the central region of the country at the Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure, the government just completed the establishment of 44 low-cost houses for the fishermen in Karangsong, Indramayu.

Earlier the government promised to complete the first phase or the construction of 92 houses of the promised 402 houses in February.

She said a fish processing center and a vocational school would also be built in the Karangsong housing area.

The discussion was held based on the results of a field study carried out in December by the Indonesian Muslim Students (HMI) members of the institute's school of maritime studies.

Using a participatory research method, the students found that the eviction had affected the fishermen not only economically and socially, but also psychologically. Sixty-five percent of the total 800 people were suffering from depression, 43.75 percent apathy about their future, while 37.5 percent were still in a state of shock.

The study recommends the establishment of proper housing and facilities for the fishermen, such as a fishermen's village, as the best solution to the issue.

Head of the Coastal and Maritime Resources Study Center at IPB, Tridoyo, said that the relocation of the fisherfolk to Indramayu should serve as a short-term plan, while it is recommended that the government conduct a feasibility study to move all the fishermen to Wetar island, West Java, which is more strategic for their livelihood.

"There should be a good relocation plan before evicting the fishermen where they can develop their own area without breaching the law on land ownership or public order," he remarked.