Governor defends policy on squatters

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