Shanties increase rapidly in Batam

BATAM, Riau: The thriving growth of shanties and slum houses in Batam is encouraged by the fact that there is no single law which can control urbanization, an official says.

The head of information and marketing office at the Batam Authority, Ahmad Dahlan, told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the annual influx of migrants to Batam was high, and a regulation was badly needed to curb the situation.

Without revealing any figures, Dahlan said that most of the new comers were unskilled people, who had no fixed jobs in Batam.

The Batam Authority and the City administration had submitted regional regulations on the control of urbanization to the Provincial Legislative Council, he said.

"Discussion on the regulation has been halted due to the establishment of the Batam Mayoralty Legislative Council on Oct. 31," Dahlan said.

Shanties and illegal housing have been growing rapidly in Suka Jadi, Baloi, Tanjung Piayu, Bengkong and Tanjung Uma areas. (26/sur)