Wiranto defends govt policy on compensation for Koja

JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto has defended the administration's policy regarding the amount of compensation set for Koja residents, urging the residents to accept the money and move out of the area.

Speaking to 50 Koja residents at the city military headquarters yesterday, the two-star general said that the residents had unlawfully occupied the plot, belonging to the state-owned PT Pelindo II.

He was speaking to residents who are still refusing to accept the compensation rate set by Pelindo II. They were at the military headquarters upon the invitation from the military.

PT Pelindo II is offering compensation of between Rp 100,000 and Rp 160,000 for each square meter of building, while the residents want Rp 2,275,000 per square meter.

More than 5,800 of 6,919 families have accepted the compensation money and agreed to quit the area, while the remaining 1,056 families are still persisting in their demand for higher compensation.

PT Pelindo has also agreed to provide the squatters with additional money the residents need to transport their belongings to their new homes. The residents, who will rent new houses, will be given one year's rent by the company, while those who are applying for low-cost apartments do not need to make a down payment.

"Therefore, just accept the offer and move from the site," Wiranto told the squatters.

The court has turned down the residents' lawsuit against the North Jakarta Mayoralty and PT Pelindo II, demanding higher compensation.

PT Pelindo has appropriated 90 hectares of land in Koja Utara, where a new cargo terminal is to be constructed.

The residents, who are still living in the area, have reportedly disturbed the cargo terminal project.

Wiranto asked the residents to demolish makeshift guard stations used by the residents to monitor people and vehicles entering the area. "What you have done is violating the law," Wiranto said.

A resident who attended yesterday's meeting said that he could understand Wiranto's explanation and promised to inform his neighbors about it. (29)