Fakta urges revision of security bylaw

JAKARTA: Activists of the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) rallied on Wednesday at the City Council building to urge the revision of Bylaw No. 11/1988 on security and order.

The bylaw currently provides the legal basis for public order officers to evict street vendors and slum residents.

Fakta chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said in a statement a draft of the revised bylaw had been submitted by Fakta to the City Council's Commission A for legal and administrative affairs two years ago, but had been ignored by councillors.

"The council promised to follow up on the draft after the gubernatorial election last September, but so far there has been no indication that the council will fulfill its pledge," he said.

Some 20 activists from Fakta failed to meet with members of Commission A, as all the councillors were attending a plenary session to review the 2002 city budget.--JP