More than 100 protest BII over land appropriation
JAKARTA (JP): Over 100 people from the Sawangan area in Bogor, 60 kilometers south of Jakarta, marched to Bank Internasional Indonesia's (BII) headquarters on Jl. MH Thamrin yesterday morning protesting land appropriation.
The protesters accused the bank's commissioner Eka Tjipta Widjaja of illegally appropriating their land.
The protesters accused Eka Tjipta of taking their land in Sawangan, an area known for its large golf course, by "forging the legal land documents."
One protester, Amat Sayuti, said his family was expelled from their land in 1994. He demanded to see copies of the tycoon's land ownership documents.
The protesters alleged PT Cisadane Perdana, a private company owned by three Indonesian businessmen including Eka Tjipta, illegally took over their land in Sawangan area.
The company's other owners are Lippo Group boss Mochtar Riady, and Muk'min Ali Gunawan, a Panin Group director.
Eka Tjipa owns the Sinar Mas Group which controls BII.
Cisadane Perdana is developing a housing complex on the disputed land.
BII spokesman Shaferi Anwar, who received the protesters, said Eka Tjipta was in India on business.
Shaferi said the bank was not directly involved with the land dispute. "No bank is allowed to deal with land business," Shaferi said.
He said Eka Tjipta had many business interests besides BII.
Shaferi promised to convey the protesters' grievances to Eka Widjaja.
Police Captain Chairul of the Menteng precinct, Central Jakarta, was at the meeting between the protesters and Shaferi.
BII vice president Okkie Monterie was quoted by AFP as saying he suspected outside forces were behind the protest.
"We are a listed public company. Do you believe we would buy a piece of land without investigating the situation of the land. We have lawyers to do that. We are a professional institution," he said.
About 20 police officers, soldiers and private security guards were at the peaceful protest. Many construction workers from nearby buildings joined in the protest.(07)