Kemayoran body rejects claims

Kemayoran body rejects claims

JAKARTA (JP): An official of the Kemayoran Area Development Board has dismissed as untrue allegations that Kebon Kosong and Gunung Sahari residents rejected the compensation rate offered by the board for the appropriation of their land.

Hindro T. Soemardjan, chairman of the board's council of directors, said on Tuesday that Rahardjo Darsoprayitno, who claimed that he represented the 5,000 residents, whose land is being acquired by the board, was not telling the truth.

"None of the residents objected to the compensation rate. The board respects the residents rights and sets the compensation rate for the land and building appropriate at the going rate," he assured. "Even residents occupying land owned by the state in the areas got 25 percent of the standard price and for their buildings they will get the same price as the others." They will receive Rp 300,000 to Rp 700,000 per square meter for the land.

Last week, seven people, including Raharjo, demanded more compensation from City Council. They said that the Kemayoran Board set the compensation rate without discussing it with the residents. They claimed that there had not been any negotiations since the agency first approached the residents about procuring their land in 1990.

"We are ready to go to court to settle the matter. They (the residents) have to follow the standard procedures and we will appreciate their rights," Hindro said.

He also said that the board has built low-cost apartments for residents who are willing to live in them.(31)