Vendors kicked out of Navy complex

JAKARTA: After the power was recently cut off in 16 official Navy houses, street vendors have now been prohibited from doing business on the road in front of the houses.

"We have been told not to come here anymore since construction work will start next Monday," Heri, a food vendor who has been in the area for 13 years, was quoted as saying by Tempointeraktif.com on Friday.

Previously, the Navy headquarters cut off the power supply to 16 houses, which have been occupied by retired officers and their families for 30 years, claiming the residents had gone back on their agreement to move out of the houses.

The Navy plans to turn the housing complex into a convention hall for its executive club for officers.

As of Friday, the residents had stayed put though they had begun to pack their belongings. -- JP