Riverbank face relocation

Riverbank face relocation

JAKARTA: The government was planning to resettle people who were currently residing along riverbank areas in Jakarta, Minister for Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Monday.

He said that the people would be relocated to places close to their current homes.

But it is not clear when the plan can be carried out.

"We are still in the process of finding appropriate sites. Perhaps to the land which are currently under the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's control," he said, adding that negotiations were still underway.

City governor Sutiyoso has pledged to clear riverbanks of squatters and stated that they would not receive any compensation.

He accused them of illegally occupying the land even though some residents said that they had built the buildings with the approval of local officers and paid land and building taxes.--JP