'Talks needed on demolition'

'Talks needed on demolition'

TANGERANG (JP): The Golkar faction of the House of
Representatives asked the regency administration here to hold
talks with residents before demolishing their homes in Dadap
village.

Yesterday legislators visited the regency office in relation
to its plan to demolish 639 houses, mostly belonging to
fishermen, in the Kosambi district.

Officials say the site on which some 5,000 people live belongs
to state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II.

"We hope the demolition will be postponed until after next
year's general election," legislator Budi Haryanto said.

Meanwhile, deputy regent Nuhriana Husnadi said the regency is
offering Rp 150,000 (US$63.75) to Rp 250,000 in compensation to
residents who willingly leave the area. The amount depends on the
type of construction of the homes.

Nuhriana said some of the houses are used as brothels, which
are illegal.

The demolition is also aimed at preventing floods around the
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, he said. (18/jun)