Soldiers hired for house demolition

Soldiers hired for house demolition

JAKARTA: A lawyer for PT Asuransi Jiwasraya, Erwin Kallo, said
on Thursday he hired the seven military soldiers who were present
during the demolition of three houses on a disputed plot of land
on Jl. TB Simatupang in South Jakarta on July 28.

Erwin, however, said the soldiers had only been hired to guard
heavy equipment used to demolish the houses.

According to Erwin, the life insurance company paid the seven
Rp 5 million and spent another Rp 5 million on their meals and
accommodations.

The lawyer also said he paid some 50 people to demolish the
houses. But he said he knew nothing about the four police
officers from the Mobile Brigade who were also arrested by the
Cilandak Police.

The demolition of the three houses was stopped by the Cilandak
Police, who arrested the 50 people hired to carry out the work,
along with the four officers and seven soldiers, none of whom
were wearing their uniforms.

The case is now being investigated by the National Police.

Erwin said his client purchased the two hectares of land in
1974, but later became embroiled in a dispute over ownership of
the plot. The matter went to the district courts, which ruled
against PT Auransi Jiwasraya. The Supreme Court later overturned
this decision.

Erwin said that after the Supreme Court decision, he contacted
the city administration, which promised to deploy public order
officers to demolish the three houses later this month.--JP