From bad to worse for evictees

From bad to worse for evictees

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Life has turned from bad to worse for evictees Darsini, 35;
Priyanto, 20; and Anita, 17; who have been taking refuge at the
National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) office in
Central Jakarta in the last few months.

After losing their homes in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, which
were torn down by the city public order officers, they have to
spend the night at a rehabilitation center in Kedoya, West
Jakarta, after being arrested by public order officers when they
were singing at an intersection near the Komnas HAM office on
Wednesday.

The three were trying to earn money because "they could no
longer rely on donors who give them instant noodles and poor
quality rice."

Hendri, the coordinator of the evictees, told The Jakarta Post
that they decided to sing on the streets "to earn money to buy
better food".

"They were arrested by the public order officers during a raid
on beggars and street singers at around 7 a.m. when they had just
left the Komnas HAM office," he said.

Some other evictees had tried to get them out of the
rehabilitation center but the officials there laid down a
condition for their release.

"An official at the center said that the three could be
released if we submit a letter from the Komnas HAM clarifying
that they are indeed victims of eviction," Hendri said, adding
that he had spoken with Komnas HAM deputy chairman Solahudin
Wahid on the possibility of obtaining a letter soon.

Separately, dozens of tenants at Pulo Mas low-cost apartments
complained to Komnas HAM on Wednesday about the oppressive
apartment management.

A representative of the tenants, Heppy, said the management
had intimidated residents by imposing new tenancy regulations.

"They have threatened to cut water and electricity if we
refuse to pay a rent increase," he said in a meeting presided
over by Komnas HAM member M.M. Billah.

Heppy said that the management had increased the monthly rent
from Rp 400,000 (US$47) to Rp 600,000 without discussing the
matter first with the apartments' tenants.

The management has also clamped down on the residents'
activities.

"The last time we had a meeting, they called the police who
later broke up the meeting although we had informed the police
three days prior to the meeting," Heppy said.

He said that the arbitrary treatment started after new
management -- dominated by active military personnel -- took
charge of the block of apartments.