House on disputed land demolished amid noisy protest
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)