Residents fear of being relocated for MRT project

JAKARTA (JP): Residents living along the tracks affected by the first-phase 14 kilometers of planned triple-tier transit project have voiced concerns about the possibility of being forced to relocate their homes.

Residents in Palmerah in West Jakarta, Kampung Bali in Central Jakarta and Bintaro in South Jakarta claimed on Saturday they had yet to be informed about the project that will form the backbone of Jakarta's mass rapid transit (MRT) system.

Rochayat, 40, who lives in Palmerah with his wife and four children said he had never heard of the project that will begin soon.

"Triple decker? What is it? What an odd name," he said.

"I haven't heard of the plan. All I know is that there will be a toll road built near here but no one has informed our neighborhood about this."

After being told briefly about the project, he said, "So we probably have to move from here.

"All I want is a fair compensation because we are in an economic crisis now. Where will we move?"

Rochayat, a small-scale vendor, admitted that the property he has lived on since 1978 is state owned.

Bambang H.S., 57, from Kampung Bali said he too knew nothing of the project.

"I doubt that the project will take place soon because of the economic condition. But if it does, I want the developer to openly discuss it with the residents."

He admitted he does not have the necessary documents for his land although he does pay property tax.

"My home is close to my workplace (at Tanah Abang market). So I can't think of another place to live. If the project continues, I want the developers to replace my home in an area near this neighborhood."

Sukarman, 35 from Kebayoran Lama subdistrict also aired the same concerns. "I still can't imagine the triple decker. Will I be able to ride a motorbike on it?

"I'm afraid the project might be like the ring road (near T.B. Simatupang, South Jakarta) which consumed a lot of space, leaving small public roads crowded with all vehicles while the toll-road is empty because the ticket is too expensive."

Data gathered by triple decker's Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) team revealed that about 3,263 families and 1,278 houses will be affected by construction of the first stage of the triple-tier transit system.

The first phase involves laying 14 kilometers of track from Dipo in South Jakarta to Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta. The Rp 6.2 trillion triple-tier system will combine 23.65 kilometers of toll roads, 22km of light-rail tracks and existing roads.

PT Citra Moda Margakencana Persada -- a joint-venture company comprising of PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada, owned by President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, the state- owned railway company (Perumka) and the state-owned highway corporation PT Jasa Marga -- is to develop the project.

The system is expected to be operational in 2001. (edt)