Wiranto defends govt policy on compensation for Koja
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)