Kemayoran project would displace 1,700 families

JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,700 families living on the site of the planned Kemayoran township in Central Jakarta are to be moved as work on the once-adjourned multibillion rupiah project is to start soon.

The head of the development division of the state-run Kemayoran Development and Control Board (DP3KK), Abdul Muis, said on Wednesday that the move would be carried out in stages and be completed by April next year.

He, however, did not disclose the start date of either the move or the project.

Muis only explained that Governor Sutiyoso had agreed to the plan but reminded DP3KK to give fair compensation to the affected residents.

"We'll give the people better options, that is whether to get compensation or be moved to a low-cost apartment to be built by us," he told reporters after meeting with Sutiyoso.

An estimated 20,000 people have already been moved to make way for the development of the proposed 454-hectare satellite city at the former Kemayoran airport.

The site is still home to some 20,000 more people who live in buildings erected in the area since the project was launched in 1990.

The Kemayoran project is being run by a consortium supervised by DP3KK, which consists of the privately run Gajah Tunggal Group, Napan Group and Amcol Group.

It is to be the home to dozens of major development projects, including the ambitious 558-meter-high Jakarta Tower, a golf course, a sophisticated business and telecommunications center, luxury apartments, schools and hospitals.

According to Muis, the displaced families who agree to move into low-cost apartments will have to pay, either in a lump sum or installments, between Rp 20 million (US$2,300) and Rp 27 million per apartment.

"We plan to develop 860 units located on the nearby site between Jl. Dakota Raya and Jl. Raya Kemayoran," he said.

Those who prefer to take compensation will be given between Rp 225,000 and Rp 900,000 per square meter of their land, depending on their land's status.

"The capital will come from DP3KK and privately-owned companies," he said. (ind)