Land usage rules relaxed in Jagakarsa

JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Betawi kampongs in Jagakarsa, Lenteng Agung, Lebak Bulus, Cinere and Fatmawati subdistricts who have less than 1,000 square meters of land are now allowed to use 40 percent of their land to build on.

The head of the city planning agency, Ahmadin Achmad, said over the weekend that the policy was meant to encourage the development of the areas where indigenous Jakartans live. The five subdistricts are located in Jagakarsa district.

He did not say whether the governor had approved the policy; the governor issued a decree (No.3/1987) which regulates the ratio between the land and buildings in some parts of South Jakarta mayoralty, including Pasar Minggu and Jagakarsa districts, both designated as water catchment areas.

According to that decree, residents are allowed to construct building on only 20 percent of the land they own.

Many families who have small plots had questioned the policy. They urged the administration to give them a special permit to allow them to use more than 20 percent.

"We found that many of the families in the five subdistricts possess only 200 square meter of land. It would be difficult for them to build on only 20 percent of the land," he said.

"In other areas, land owners are not allowed to construct building on the plots," he said.

Ahmadin said the restricted areas were located in South Jakarta, like Ragunan Zoo and land along Krukut river in Cilandak subdistrict.

To support the policy the administration has also stipulated that people can only get a building permit if they have at least 1,000 square meters of land.

Ahmadin said those who have small plots of land can join their plots and ask for one permit. (yns)