Illegal buildings demolished

Illegal buildings demolished

JAKARTA (JP): City public order officers demolished dozens of
illegal buildings in Sunter district, North Jakarta, on Monday,
after owners failed to abide by North Jakarta mayoralty's
demolition order issued last year.

Demolition was conducted under the coordination of North
Jakarta public order office official A. Soffiyana, with officers
of the local district military command and North Jakarta Police
precinct assisting.

Most of the demolition occurred without incident, although
some building owners tried to prevent officers from tearing down
their houses, public order office chief Boy Firman said.

Soffiyana said as soon as the demolition was completed at 10
a.m., the officers immediately fenced in the area to block local
residents from illegally rebuilding their houses.

Mayor H. Suprawito issued the order last year, asking for the
demolition of illegal houses at the disputed area, but demolition
was postponed due to resistance by local residents.

Hundreds of residents intentionally stayed on the disputed
land, which covers 6,000 square meters and belongs to landowner
Iqbal, Antara reported.

In a bid to get his property back, Iqbal urged the North
Jakarta mayoralty to help clear the land, the report said. (hhr)