Group demands prosecution of those allegedly involved in land takeover
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)