Housing developer builds police station, fights coolies
Housing developer builds police station, fights coolies
TANGERANG (JP): Housing developer PT Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD)
began on Friday the construction of the Serpong Police
subprecinct station amid growing concern over the extortion of
service fees from residents by local kuli angkut (transport
coolies).
The developer's president Budiarsa Sastrawinata however
contended that the construction of the police station was not
particularly aimed at combating the coolie problem, but to help
improve security as a whole.
"Extortion" by local coolies has been a growing problem in the
popular housing estate as they often "coerce" residents to employ
their services.
Last month the house and car of a resident, named Santo
Jaelani, was damaged by a group of coolies after he refused
coolies' help in unloading his furniture. The truck transporting
the furniture was also damaged.
Tangerang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Affan Richwanto admitted
that solving the problem, which was rooted in unemployment, was
not easy.
He revealed that he planned to discuss with other developers
in Tangerang ways to solve the problem which occurs in many
housing estates.
"It's a 'problem of the stomach'," Affan said referring to the
coolies attempts to seek work.
"We can't simply use a legal approach to solve the problem,"
Affan added.
The coolies are usually unemployed local youths living on the
outskirts of the estate who seek work doing odd jobs for estate
residents at a tariff of between Rp 10,000 and Rp 30,000.
The developer's spokesman, Dhony Rahajoe, hopes that with the
construction of the two-story police office in the housing
complex, police will be more prompt in assisting residents.
Until the construction is completed residents should still
report any complaints to the current Serpong Police station
located in Cisauk village or Tangerang Police station, which are
both quite a distance from the housing complex.
The construction of the police office which stands on a 3,415
square meters plot is expected to be completed by the end of this
year. The construction and the land, estimated to be worth some
Rp 500 million, is being funded by the developer.
Tangerang Police chief Affan was also confident that the
police will improve its service to residents in the area.
"Public service includes handling the coolie problem in the
housing complex," Affan told reporters after the ceremony.
He promised to take stern actions against coolies who were
found breaking the law.
He revealed that police are currently detaining a coolie who
damaged a house in the housing complex last month.
"He is in our detention. You can take his picture if needed,"
Affan said. (jun)