House on disputed land demolished amid noisy protest
JAKARTA (JP): A house on a disputed plot in the Kebon Kacang subdistrict was finally torn down amid noisy protests, despite a call by the mayor to halt the demolition pending an agreement on land compensation.
Earlier construction workers, after hearing an elderly woman's defense of her property, had delayed executing the demolition order for 40 minutes.
At least one of the 18 University of Indonesia students who went to support the residents was injured in a clash with demolition officers during the six hours of suspense, which began at 9 a.m.
Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi had said the residents and the private developer, PT Asia Troika, must first reach an agreement on land compensation.
The demolition squad from the mayoralty could not show residents a written order. This led to more tension. Neither could the squad say how many homes they had been told to demolish on the 2,300-square-meter disputed plot.
Yesterday afternoon legislators H.M. Mansur and H.A. Chozin Chumaidy from the United Development Party faction arrived at the site in the Tanah Abang district.
The legislators hoped to pacify residents as well as to request a halt to the demolition.
Harris Harahap, who led the squad, refused to say much to either legislator.
"I'm only fulfilling my duty and you may address your concern to the mayor," he said.
Violation
The legislators and residents believe the mayor has violated a presidential decree which stipulates that the government will not interfere in land disputes involving private parties.
Abdul, however, has said the land will be used for public facilities.
The disputed plot comprises a residential area housing 19 families and a mosque, in a prime city site. Councilors said a five-star-rated hotel and an apartment block will be built on the site.
Councilors had also earlier asked the mayor to at least postpone the demolition.
Along with two other residents, the legislators then headed for the mayor's office to discuss the dispute.
According to Mansur, after the closed meeting, the mayor said that no demolition would be conducted before a price settlement is reached.
Officers on the site, however, remained defiant when told about the mayor's latest directive.
A senior official who seemed to have yielded slightly to the residents' demands said that he apparently misunderstood the nature of the order.
"I thought we were demolishing and confiscating this plot of land for the government," he said.
The residents are demanding Rp 3,750,000 (US$1,594.39) per square meter of uncertified land, and Rp 4,750,000 per square meter of certified land.
The developer's offer is Rp 2,25 million per square meter for uncertified land and Rp 2,5 million per square meter for certified land. (14)