Officers demolish makeshift guard stations in Koja

JAKARTA (JP): Security officers forcefully entered the Koja Utara area on Saturday and demolished residents' makeshift guard stations and tightly guarded the project site.

Since Friday, a number of residents have been injured, with one picked up by city police.

The residents said the incident took place before 5 a.m on Saturday.

"Four trucks came and police, together with military officers, got out and rushed at us. Other officers rode motorcycles, passing us," Wati, an eight-months-pregnant woman, said.

After more than an hour, tractors and other equipment entered the area, beginning the construction work on the appropriated land under the officers' guard, she said.

Reporters were not allowed to enter the construction area, or take pictures on the site.

The North Jakarta mayor, as well as City Military Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Sutiyoso were reported to have come to the site and observe the construction.

On Wednesday, City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto warned the residents to accept the compensation set by the government and move from the site, scheduled to be used as a container terminal.

Compensation

The North Jakarta mayoralty offered compensation of Rp 100,000 per square meter, to Rp 160,000 per square meter.

The two-star general also asked the residents to demolish the makeshift guard stations, which were used by the residents to monitor people and vehicles entering the area, saying that the residents had violated the law.

On Thursday, about 100 residents met with members of the House of Representative from the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, complaining that the land dispute has not been settled.

Hasan Saman, a resident who led the Koja Utara resident delegation, was picked up by city police on Friday. As of Saturday afternoon, he had not returned home.

The residents persisted in their refusal to give in because they felt they had been hurt.

"We will fight for our rights to get humane compensation," Kaspin said.

Despite the fact that they kept no legal documents, except for one document saying that they had a right to occupy the land, the Koja Utara residents initially demanded compensation of Rp 2,275,000 per square meter but said it was negotiable.

The Koja Utara subdistrict, which is located next to the Tanjung Priok container terminal, has been earmarked for a new cargo terminal site. The new terminal is being built at a cost of US$498 million and will start operation in October 1998. (01)