Fate of Gunung

Fate of Gunung
Putri residents

I'm both concerned and saddened by how the residents of Gunung
Putri, living not far from the Cibinong cement plant in Bogor,
have been unjustly treated since the New Order era.

During the New Order era the residents had to give up the land
they had inherited from their ancestors for the construction of
the Jagorawi toll road. They only received Rp 25 to Rp 50 per
square meter in compensation for the land.

They also had to give up their land for the construction of
the Gunung Putri toll road, this time receiving Rp 2,000 per
square meter in compensation, far below the market price.

Now in the reform era, fertile rice fields next to Lake
Cibeureum will be appropriated -- according to village
authorities and the contractor concerned, PT Mitra Dinanti Resina
-- to turn the lake back into a reservoir for runoff river water
to prevent flooding in Jakarta.

The authorities concerned have asked residents to give up
their land for the sake of national interests. The residents
refused the request, saying they possess land ownership
certificates issued as far back as 1927 by the Dutch colonial
administration.

The government appraised the land at between Rp 27,000 and Rp
48,000 per square meter. Then the contractor suggested giving the
residents just Rp 15,000 per square meter as consolation money of
sorts, arguing it did not have the money to appropriate the land.

It is strange that no funds were allocated for such a project.
So, the residents have again refused the offer. Then, out of the
blue in this so-called reform era, the contractor began dredging
the residents' land although no agreement had been reached.

The reason for this action, according to the contractor and
the village authorities, is that one or two villagers have
received compensation money. In fact, they were cheated if they
received the money.

So the residents concerned lodged an oral protest but the
protest fell on deaf ears. The residents then wrote a letter of
protest. The contractor promised to stop its work.

Since it is the reform era, we should make this case an
example and teach a lesson to those people who would trample on
the rights of others to turn a profit.

In a land case like this, it is only proper that the residents
concerned be given proper compensation so they can buy new land.

The dredging of the lake has had a terrible effect and the
rice fields can no longer be used. The residents used to be able
to plant rice twice a year, and later only once a year. Now they
can no longer plant rice, ending a tradition that has been going
on for the last one hundred years.

POLINA BONE

Gunung Putri

West Java