Evicting 'illegal' residents

Evicting 'illegal' residents

From Koran Tempo

Within a matter of minutes, thousands of residents of Pondok Kopi, Ancol Timur, Bantaran Angke and Teluk Gong lost their homes, as the Jakarta administration evicted them from their allegedly illegal dwellings.

I don't know why their homes were said to be illegal. Aren't they Indonesian citizens? In whose eyes were these homes illegal? Isn't the government responsible for providing them with decent homes?

The city administration should convert their houses to a decent place to live and not evict them inhumanely. Doesn't the government realize that its policy to throw people at the grassroots level out of their homes will produce negative impacts, such as the perpetration of criminal acts and strong feelings of revenge?

NENI INDRIATI

Jakarta