Victims file suit over eviction

JAKARTA: Dozens of evictees -- whose houses in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, were demolished by public order officers last year -- filed a suit against West Jakarta Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra, the land owner Agustina Munawar, the National Land Agency's (BPN) West Jakarta office and PT Sinar Slipi Jaya.

Represented by lawyer Harvey Petrus Leatomu, the evictees filed the suit at the West Jakarta District Court over the demolition of their homes and their eviction from the area. In the suit, they are demanding "fair compensation".

"We demand the compensation reaches around 70 percent of our property value," said one of the protesters, Ali.

"We need the compensation money to start a new life. We can't go back there," said Surya.

The evictees also held a rally in front of the court. -- Antara