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.