House demolition on hold for compensation deal

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi yesterday agreed to call a halt to the demolition of houses on a disputed plot of land in the Kebon Kacang sub-district until agreement is reached between residents and a private developer on the price to be paid for the land.

The mayor's decision followed renewed demands by one of the two legislators who had earlier conveyed their objections to the mayor.

This standoff is one of several points negotiated in a meeting between Central Jakarta mayor Abdul Kahfi with legislators Bachtiar Chamsyah and H.M. Mansur from the United Development Party, who were speaking at the mayoralty office on behalf of the 19 families affected by the order.

"This situation does not look good," legislator Bachtiar told the mayor, expressing dismay that a squad of some 300 security personnel, equipped to face the worst, were deployed around the vicinity, prepared to demolish three targeted houses.

According to the mayor, three residents have agreed to take the compensation offered by the developer, and therefore their houses were demolished.

The community, however, said it knew nothing of any such agreement.

"We have been sticking together in this, and we would have known about it if anyone had agreed," Bambang Julianto, a long- time resident said.

According to Bambang, residents have been staying up all night, holding meetings and drawing up a petition.

Legislators also proposed an increase in the land price, as well as that the compensation money be transferred directly to residents through saving accounts in their name, that residents be given at least a month to look for a new place to live, that residents be assisted and given priority if they wanted to purchase a low-cost apartment units build around the city, and that the area be surveyed.

On Wednesday, the demolition squad demolished two houses despite protest.

The plot of land in question covers 2,300 square meters in a prime part of the city. The private developer, PT Asia Troika, is reportedly willing to pay Rp 2,350,000 per square meter of uncertified land and Rp 2,6 million for certified land.

Residents are demanding Rp 4,750,000 and Rp 3,750,000 respectively.

M. Yanis from the mayoralty office said that the new price would be announced in two days.

Budi Santoso, head of the community neighborhood, however, said that residents had reached the end of their tether.

In 1989 some 300 houses were demolished after the owners agreed to accept the developer's compensation of Rp 350,000 per square meter.

"It's been a seven-year battle. We are tired of intimidations, so we are entrusting our affairs to our legislators," Budi said.

Faced with uncertainties and the possibility of harsh treatment by the authorities, many residents moved their belongings outside, anticipating the worst.

Syaiful Ishar, a resident whose house was demolished on Wednesday, said that he could not think of anything more depressing than the officers' grim determination to demolish his home. (14)