Officers demolish makeshift guard stations in Koja
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)