'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)