Kapuk squatters take compensation

JAKARTA (JP): As many as 94 families in Kapuk, West Jakarta, accepted compensation for their land yesterday after state-owned housing company Perum Perumnas gave them an ultimatum and their houses were destroyed.

Perum Perumnas announced on Monday that Kapuk squatters had to accept the compensation within three days or get nothing.

Didin Sutiadi, an official of the company, said the construction of the new housing complex in Kapuk will run well after all the squatters are paid.

Perumnas has expropriated 334 hectares of land in Kapuk and Cengkareng Timur to construct a low-cost housing complex. It has paid more than Rp 2 billion (US$909,090) in compensation for 1,200 houses owned by 995 families in the two subdistricts.

The 94 families had previously rejected the compensation, but were forced to accept the offer when the West Jakarta authorities demolished their houses last week.

Perum Perumnas is also in the process of constructing low-cost apartments for factory and construction workers.

Didin said the low-cost apartment would be completed later this year. He added that the apartment will house 1,600 families. (29)