Evicted fishermen draw lots for new homes

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.