Mayoralty to give squatters Rp 7,500

Mayoralty to give squatters Rp 7,500

JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta mayoralty has agreed to give Cisadane riverbank squatters in Kedoya Utara, Kebon Jeruk, Rp 7,500 each to assist them in moving from the area.

After meeting with seven residents, mayoralty secretary H. Solihin DJ said on Friday, that the mayoralty was willing to help the families, whose houses were demolished by the authorities two weeks ago, with trucks to transport their belongings.

"In this way the residents do not have to spend transportation money," he was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday.

Ujang, a squatter, said he had visited the City Council to seek help. He met with Arman from Commission A for administration, security and order.

"The councilor will give us further information about our fate today. He suggested that we meet Mayor Sutardjianto to ask for protection because now we have no place to live," Ujang said.

As many as 423 illegal buildings in three neighborhoods along the riverbank in Kedoya Utara, Kebun Jeruk, were pulled down by the authorities two weeks ago, leaving more than 670 people homeless.

The demolition of the shantytown was part of the clean river program.

Since the destruction of their homes, the shantytown residents have been living in tents close to the cleared off area.

The mayoralty has told the residents of the former shantytown to give up their tents and return to their hometowns, or join the transmigration program. "The authorities will send them to the rehabilitation center in Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta, if they don't," Solihin said.

He said demolition of 40 shanties in another neighborhood in Kedoya Utara will be carried out soon. (11)