Residents demand road for tax

BEKASI: Residents of Jatimakmur subdistrict, Pondok Gede district in Bekasi, threatened not to pay land and property taxes unless the city administration immediately constructs an asphalt road leading to their area.

Head of Community Unit (RW) 19 in Jatimakmur subdistrict, Muhammad Nasir, said the city administration had promised to build the one-kilometer asphalt road since 1997 prior to the general elections.

But it turned out to be an empty promise.

"Hundreds of residents will refuse to pay the land and property tax unless the city administration constructs the road immediately," Nasir was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday.

He also expressed disappointment with Bekasi city councillors whom he said did not fight for the people's interests.

Meanwhile local resident Hassanudin said that many officials and councillors had promised to construct asphalt roads leading to the four neighborhood units (RT) in two RWs.

"Because of the false promises, people have become disappointed and angry," Hassanudin said, adding that people's trust in the city administration had diminished.

They expressed hope that Bekasi Mayor Nonon Soenthani, who will end his term in Feb. 23, 2003, would fulfill his promise before he leaves office. -- JP