'Public order officers cruel, rude'

Forced evictions conducted by the city administration usually end in clashes between public order officers and the "illegal" occupants. People often end up in hospital due to their injuries; one even died in the last eviction in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. The Jakarta Post talked to some people on the use of violence by public order officers.

Ujang, not his real name, 30, is a coffee vendor in the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta. He lives in Bogor with his family:

In my opinion, the city public order officers are inhuman and merciless. Sometimes they can be even crueler than the military.

I myself have been beaten several times by the officers as they considered I had violated the regulations by doing business in the park.

They would came to me and rudely order me to move by kicking me or would simply take my hot water urn. Sometimes, they would force me to give them all my money. What's the difference between robbers and the public order officers?

Now I have the guts to fight their inhumane treatment. I'm not afraid to go to jail for my actions, because I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not a criminal. I'm earning money here and they treat me harshly.

Saiman, not his real name, 50, is a sidewalk food vendor at Gambir railway station, Central Jakarta. He lives in Pancoran, South Jakarta, with his wife and four children:

I hate the city public order officers because they always chase vendors like myself although we are only trying to earn some money.

If they get the chance, they beat us like an animal and, sometimes, take away my goods and my money.

They are very arrogant and inhuman. Even the police don't treat us that rudely. I know that because some police officers came to me and said sorry for what had happened.

The public order officers should understand the hardships of life and survival in the city. If only they would use a more humane approach to evict us, we would respect them.

Sofi, 29, lives in Joglo, West Jakarta, with her family:

It's regrettable that our public order officers always use violence during evictions. I realize that they are just following orders from their superiors but I'm sure they do it to get the job done. I think they get an allowance for each eviction.

It's proof of how powerful and evil money can be. A few thousand rupiah is enough to make them commit violence.

I think the public order officers come from poor families. Their recruitment is not based on professional standards. I guess some of them are former thugs who used to extort money from people.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.