Fishermen divided on eviction

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Fishermen living on Muara Angke riverbanks, North Jakarta, have responded differently to a final order to clear the area issued by the city administration.

As of Sunday afternoon, officials of Pluit subdistrict had recorded that 407 families, or about half the residents, were willing to leave and had each received Rp 500,000 (about US$60) in compensation.

However, the families concerned do not know where to go after the eviction, which was due to take place on Monday.

"I don't know where to go after I demolish my own house," said Sumarjono, who had received compensation money. "I will assess the situation tomorrow, then decide."

Sumarjono said that while awaiting eviction he would put his family and belongings on board his fishing boat, which was berthed by the sea. Usually, he said, the fishermen tied the boats in front of their platform houses on a shallow part of the river.

Raminah is from one of hundreds of families grouped in the Traditional Fishermens Union (SNT) who have insisted on staying because "there is no other place for us to live."

"We will only leave if the administration gives us an alternative place to live," she told The Jakarta Post.

Intending to restore the site to an open, green area, the administration has ordered the residents to demolish their homes and leave the banks by Monday morning.