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