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