3 RWs in Tanjung Priok Threatened to Be Evicted

April 08 2014 04:01 PM 2175
Reported by Budhi Firmansyah Surapati | Translated by Isa Efriadi

Hundreds of residents living in Kampung Muara Bahari, RW 07, 11, and 12, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, held demonstration, Monday (4/7). They were refusing PT KAI’s plan to demolish their settlement.

“If PT KAI forced their intention, it is the same as boycotting election. PT KAI should have aware that election is coming, instead of troubling the residents by doing building control

At first, the protesters who started their action at 9 AM planned to hold the demonstration in front of PT KAI office on Jalan Stasiun Tanjung Priok. But, due to dozens of policemen blocked their way, the protesters recklessly held demonstration on roadside near their settlement.

The residents admitted they have received subpoena twice from PT KAI to demolish their houses, where the last subpoena was received on April 1. If so, 1,400 families are threatened to lose their houses. And if their houses being demolished, 4,973 residents are threatened could not vote.

“If PT KAI forced their intention, it is the same as boycotting election. PT KAI should have aware that election is coming, instead of troubling the residents by doing building control,” stressed Chief of RW 11 Tanjung Priok, Didin Jaenudin.

Meanwhile, Head of Tanjung Priok Urban Village, Suyono, stated that the residents’ action was normal, because he assessed that PT KAI is not making good communication with the residents all this time. “The problem is actually communication. Although PT KAI felt they have legitimate documents, they should have done persuasive ways,” he said.

In addition, Head of Tanjung Priok Sector Police Chief Commissioner Sulastoyo urged the residents not to hold demonstration that could disturb public order. Moreover, this week is quiet week. “We persuaded them not to disturb election’s quiet week. Praise to God they understood and shortened their action,” he uttered.

To secure the demonstration, as many as 30 policemen were deployed. After reading a letter of their act and demand, the residents finally dismissed themselves at around 10 AM.