Village head probed over illicit land sale

Village head probed over illicit land sale

JAKARTA (JP): Bogor city authorities are questioning Kosasih, head of Citaringgul village in Citeureup district for his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of land.

Kosasih's alleged misdeed has led to the bulldozing of hundreds of houses and tens of hectares of plants by a developer, identified as PT FMP, to make way for the construction of a housing estate and a golf course, Denny M. Moehry, the spokesman for the Bogor city administration, said on Tuesday.

Denny told Antara that Kosasih allegedly acted as a broker for the sale of the land for which the owners say they never received payment.

"The city administration will not hesitate to take stern action against him (Kosasih) if during the questioning there is any indication that he is involved in embezzlement," Denny said, adding that his case will be brought to court in line with the existing legal process.

PT FMP's representatives said they have done nothing against the law as payments had been settled through Kosasih.

Hundreds of land owners said in a meeting with Eman Sukirman, secretary of the Citeureup district last week, that they never sold their land to any third party.

They demanded at the meeting that PT FMP pay them compensation once the demolition is finished.

Eman told the villagers that his office will help settle the problem and asked them to remain calm.

According to the city plan, the 250-hectare area cleared by the developer has been designated by the Bogor administration for an outer ring road project and a mosque. (25/hhr)