Group demands prosecution of those allegedly involved in land takeover

TANGERANG (JP): A non-governmental organization, Tangerang Government Watch (TGW), has demanded that the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office soon prosecute the alleged illegal takeover of a 10-hectare state-owned plot in Babakan subdistrict by locals, councilors and high ranking officials.

"If the district prosecutor's office fails to do so, we'll report this matter directly to Attorney General's Office in Jakarta," TGW chairman Tony Wismantoro said on Thursday.

The group handed in a report to the prosecutor's office on Thursday, hoping that the related parties involved in the scam would be summoned soon.

"The credibility of the prosecutor's office is at stake as they have to prove their ability in solving this case," Tony said, adding that several copies of land certificates allegedly owned by several high-ranking officials were enclosed in the report.

The 10-hectare plot is worth about Rp 3 billion (US$428,571) and has allegedly been obtained illegally by officials and local residents who wish to sell it at a high price to prospective developer PT Mayo Waya.

The area is destined to be turned into business center, complete with a shopping mall and recreation park.

The alleged illegal takeover of the land had reportedly been going on since last May, with land ownership documents issued by the National Land Agency (BPN) and distributed to interested locals, officials and councilors.

"The permit, issued by the Tangerang mayor and the local industrial office in November last year, clearly states that the plot is state property. But how come many then claimed to have legally owned the plots?" Tony said.

Several unusual facts were unearthed as the land certificates held by the people who took over the plot were not signed by Tangerang BPN chief Sadmojo, but instead by chief of land measurement Hendro Santoso, Tony said.

"Those land certificates are surely conflicting with the fact that the plot is state property. Imagine the loss if the plot is freely distributed among certain parties," Tony said.

The plot itself is designed for businesses, offices and service space, while its status is that of state property which is made up of swamps, vegetables gardens, empty plots and villages. (41/edt)