Governor defends policy on squatters

Governor Sutiyoso defended on Friday his administration's policy on a string of evictions in the capital, expressing confidence in obtaining full support from the central government once he had made an explanation to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"I will set a timetable to report to the President ... I believe everybody will agree with me, including the government, that what we have done is upholding public order and the law," he said at his office.

Sutiyoso was responding to Megawati's criticism on Thursday that eviction would not take place should regional administrations address population problems before the number of squatters increased.

Political parties, non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights and poverty alleviation, as well as the national commissions on human rights and protection of women and children, have repeatedly lambasted the violent evictions and have asked for a six-month moratorium pending an evaluation of the policy on eviction.

Although the occupants had no rights over the land, they said, the administration should have taken into account the upcoming rainy season, which might lead to flooding, the Muslim fasting month and Idul Fitri holiday, and the general elections next year.

"It would be unwise to halt evictions because after the general elections there would be other events that might again be used as reasons for further delay. We'll continue with the evictions but take up suggestions made by critics by involving the rights commissions during evictions," Sutiyoso said.

Jakarta invariably attracts migrants after the Idul Fitri holiday, increasing the population density to 14,000 people per square kilometer.

"If we did nothing to stop it, the figure would grow to 200,000 per square kilometer," he said.

Commenting on the President's accusation that many administration officials took bribes from squatters, which then caused belated responses by local administrations in removing squatters, Sutiyoso shouted, "I'm dead if I take a cent from them. That's humiliating!" -- JP