Residents demand public facilities

TANGERANG: Dozens of residents living at Alam Sutra housing estate in Tangerang regency asked on Wednesday for the construction of public facilities, as so far there are none in the complex.

"We need a mosque for Friday prayers and Taraweh prayers during the fasting month of Ramadhan, a church and medical clinic," said Sriyani, a resident who lives in the housing estate.

She said that since the housing estate was opened in 1995, PT Alfa Goldland Realty, the housing developer, had promised to provide those facilities for them, "but as of today, there are no signs that residents would have them."

Herbudi, another resident, said that once residents built a temporary mosque using a wedding tent near a minimarket, but it was dismantled by the developer without consulting them.

He said residents had repeatedly filed requests for public facilities to the developer but to no avail.

"Frankly, we are very disappointed since the developer has not acted on its promise," he added.

In response to the residents' complaints, Alam Sutra spokesman Emil Syarief said that the management had met with community unit chiefs and residents to discuss their demands.

"The problem is settled. We will build a mosque and a church soon," he said.--JP